.0...\^^.«fe. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


// 


W. 


%%   ^ 
^ 


4 


7- 


1.0 


I.I 


f  1^  1^ 


1 2.5 
2.2 


1.8 


11.25  III  1.4   i  1.6 


PhotDgraphic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


'^ 


I 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  MIcroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historlques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibiiographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 
D 
D 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Re\\6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

Lareliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^riaure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  qua  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  taxte, 
mais,  lorsque  ceia  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  pauvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


D 
D 


D 
D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicuides 

Pages  discoloured,  stairod  or  foxe( 
Pages  d6colordes,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 


I — I    Pages  damaged/ 

I      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

I      I    Pages  discoloured,  stairod  or  foxed/ 


Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  in6gale  de  i'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppldmentaire 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  beer  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  fllm6es  d  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

i 

Y 

12X 

16X 

20X 

wT 

28X 

32X 

m 


lails 
du 

sdifier 
une 
mage 


IS 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

IVIaps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exampiaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimis  sont  fiimds  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commen9ant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaltra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  —*-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
fllm6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


errata 
ito 


B  pelure, 
ion  d 


U 


32X 


If  . 

t 

3 

4 

5 

t 

6 

^/^^Cd^cj^-^ 


■-'Hf'T^'w^^'il^-iv'm^^ftiF^  t»  ■pwi*irw«*»*flfwiq^w  ■• 


THE  SHOT  HEARD  ROUND 
THE  WORLD 

FROM  LEXINGTON  TO  YORKTOWN 

A   FlCTORtAL 

HISTORY  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 


WITH    A 


SKETCH  OF  THE  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTRY 

THE   CONSTITUTION   OF   THE   UNITED   STATES 

AND   A   CyRONOLOGICAL   INDEX 


(j^<y(lC-%(^    f  -^^ 


ILLUSTRATED   WITH  SEVERAL  HUNDRED  ENGRAVINGS 


]',osroN 

THE  JOHN   ADAMS   LEE   PUBLISHING   COMPANY 

10  MILK    STRLET      OLD   SOUTH    ULOCK 
1889 


r  > 


' ,  \'.  a'.*iiq^««ffi^as>jiij;(-&-.7i^r5.'j,!^^.'> 


PRfiFACfi. 


NO  portion  of  the  wo.ld's  history  can  be  more  interesting  io  the  present  generation,  than  UiM 
Jo'd^d    n  this  volume ;  and  although  of  comparatively  recent  occurrence,  it  has  acqu^ed  b, 
regTc    much  of  the  fre  hues,  and  fascination  of  novelty.    The  American  Revolution    s  ^ 
!  t    a"  latcd  .0  exercise  a  great  influence  on  the  present  and  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
To  write  an  authentic  "  History  of  the  American  Revolution,"  is  no  1  ght,  '""P°'*'^'« 
task     We  have  endeavored  to  be  impartial,  and  to  be  careful  that  no  fact  shoiJd  be  distorted,  o, 
r    eiveT  aS  c  loring.    Where,  as  is  frequently  the  case,  a  considerable  difference  exists  be- 
we      various  authorifies,  we  have  endeavored  to  exercise  -unbiased  judgment  and    o^ad^^^^^ 
that  statement  which  appeared  on  the  whole,  most  consistent  with  Truth,    lie  great  P""^  Pl« 
of    iJi  aTd  religious  freedom,  the  contest  for  which,  in  America,  aroused  the  slumbering  nation, 
of  Eur  pe,  can  not  fail  engagi'ng  our  ardent  admiration  ,  and  every  Friend  of  Human  High  s  at  the 
present  day,  can  have  no  hesitation  in  adopting  the  words  of  the  immortal  Chatham,  "J  «j<»c. 
Thlt  they  Jve  ruisted."    At  this  moment,  the  whole  English  nation,  which  then,  with  a  few  hon- 
orable  exceptions,  was  willing  to  aid  her  rulers  in  trampling  on  the  necks  of  her  transatlantic  son., 
U  now  sealhig  he;  approval ,'  the  principles  which  actuated  American  Patriots,  byher  own  effort. 
to  establish  the  truth,  that  "  Taxation,  without  representation,  is  tyranny. 

In  the  preparation  of  a  volume  like  the  present,  however,  it  is  impossible  to  give  universal  satis- 
faction.    Is  it  not  enough  that  our  fathers  suffered,  without  the  strife  being  ^'^'l^^h'^d,  as  a. 
heirloom,  to  their  children?     Wisdom  suffers  antipathies  to  die  with  '^e  generation  which  has  fo^^ 
tered  them  ;  and  we  believe  that,  were  it  not  for  the  noxious  influence  of  a  portion  o    the  pe"0^. 
0.1  press,  bmh  in  America  and  England,  the  only  rivalry  between  the  '^^  .6'^'^^' ^;2;rand 
the  face  of  the  globe  would  be.  in  the  knowledge  and  practice  of  those  principles  of  moral  and 
»litical  science!  which  are  adapted  to  promote  the  happiness  and  welfare  rf  mankind  a   la^e 
HISTORY  requires  a  distant  eminence,  from  which  to  take  an  impartial  view  .f  the  character  and 
transactions  of  the  recording  pen :  but  little  more  than  half  a  century  has  now  elapsed  since  the 
Slonistsfiist  asserted  their  independence,  and  the  generation  whose  arduous  ^""^f-    ^^  7/, 
«,  imrortant  a  result,  has  passed  away  to  the  silent  tomb.    To  give  ajust  and  >"'P«"'»J  J'^^  »' 
the  rise,  progress,  and  establishment  of  the  American  Republic,  has  been  the  design  of  the  work 
The  editorls  aimed  to  do  justice  without  asperity  ;  to  applaud  patriotism,  but  not  toju  tify  U, 
excesses  ;  to  condemn  tyranny,  but  not  to  overlook  the  virtues  of  many  of  its  instruments    ai>. 
to  exhibit  the  kindly  prospect  of  the  future,  more  strongly  than  the  irritating  aspect  °f  the  pa.t 
The  study  of  History  can  not  be  appreciated  too  highly  ;  it  tells  to  the  youth  of  our  country 
...cry  full  of  wisdom,  and  replete  with  many  a  moral-it  shows  the  influence  an.,  success  o. 
honor  and  viriue-that  vice  and  dishonor  go  hand  in  hand  together  ;  and  it  excite-  r-  «^  .o  aoble 
deeds  ot  patriotism ,  and  calls  upon  them  to  do  all,  and  suffer  all,  for  their  country. 

To  the  Youth  of  Amkrica,  especially,  the  present  Narrative  is  mvaluable.  It  telh  the  price 
.t  which  all  their  present  rights  were  purchased-it  teaches  them  their  '"'"'"P^f'^f  _«,'»'  J 
thus  renders  those  in  whose  hands  the  destinies  o/  America  are  hereafter  to  be  i:-.rusted,  alive  to 
every  encroachment  upon  them.  It  relates  to  a  country  of  greater  extent,  resources,  and  beauty, 
than  is  possessed  by  any  other  single  nation  under  heaven  ;  and  to  «  p'-J-w  of  recent  "ngin  in- 
deed,  but  developing  immense  powers,  and  making  gigantic  progress ;  to  a  people  ab.ve  "'l  "the" 
Interesting  to  the  nations  of  Europe-presenting  a  refuge  for  their  distressed  children-exhibiting 
a  noble  example  for  their  imitation  ;  and  as  exercising  no  feeble  influence  on  their  destiny. 

It  is  not,  however,  for  Yputh,  alone,  that  this  volume  has  been  prepB>  .d.  It  has  been  written 
for  AiL-for  every  age.  i„  mankind  at  large  the  subject  can  not  fail  to  b«  mteresting ;  and  if 
the  preparation  of  these  pages  has  been  executed  with  a  competent  measure  of  industry,  candor 
tad  careflilness,  they  can  scarcely  fail  of  being  valuable.  These  the  editor  has  endeavored  to  ex 
■fcUe,  and  k  ?  hope,  not  altogether  without  success. 


CHRONOLOGICAL  INDEX. 


II 

12 

13 

14 
14 
IS 

19 

SO 

se 

S6 
SB 

28 


IS99. 
IMS. 
1584. 


INTRODUCTION. 

«*»-T  RI9TORT  OF  IH«  ANIRIOAN  OOLOIIIBi. 
A.D.  p^gj 

•98-1019.  DIscoverlei  by  the  Ancient  Northmen- 
Blame  Hlerulf8on'i  Voyage  In  986  . 
Discoveries  of  Leif  Ericson  In  1000 
Thorwald'd  Expedition,  and  Battle  with  the 

Skrelijngs  (Esquimaux) 
Settlement  in  Vineland,  by  Thorflnn  Karl- 

ietne  

Voyage  of  Freydisa,  Helge,  and  FInnebaye  . 
i..oo*!?.kS".*  "k*'"=J,  discovered  In  New  England 
I49S.  Christopher  Colnmbus  sails  In  Search  of  a 
New  World 
Mutiny  on  board  his  Vessel.'and  first  Dlacov- 
ery  of  Land    . 
149S.  Columbus'  second  Voyage   "        '        •        • 
1498.  Columbus' third  Voyage 
ISOfl.  Death  of  Columbus,  May  15th  .   ' 
WM  IJ?5'  ^^''^g"  "f  Sebastian  Cabot 
iJSc?1J'  )^°y»Ke'"fAmericusVespucclu»    . 
ISSS-1542.  Career  of  Hernando  de  Soto  in  Amer- 
ica   

Discoveries  of  Giovanni  Ve'razzano 
Voyage  of /ot    Hibault 
Sir  Wa.!ter  R,    -igh  sends  two  Ships  to 
America  r    »» 

.....''"'Jf'r  *'**■•"""'■«       ;h  the  Natives    '   .    "  . 

1885.  Raleigh  sends  i  ,  ..her  Fleet  to  America 

i...   5^P,"  ''"r^  appointed  Governor  of  Virginia  . 

I2?2"  E"'?."/,^/*'];',"?  ■"•'  returns  to  England 

;••»■  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  beheaded    . 

:SxS'  £°'''"y  »«"' '"  America  by  James  I. 

1007.  Settlement  of  Jamestown . 

Difficulties  with  the  Natives   .    '   .    ' 
Life  of  John  Smith  saved  by  Pocah'ontag    . 

■««.   irT*'  °^  Ne/^Port  with  a  fresh  Colony 

I8S3.  Colony  of  Maryland  settled  by  Lord  Baltl- 
more 

IMO.  First  tuccessful  EfTort  to  colonize  New 
England 

,mmJ'^,' "^  '•'*  Pilgrims  at  Plymouth   '    .   " 

!S«   El!""'  established  near  Cape  Anne    . 

IBSO.  Fifteen  Hundred  Settlers  sail  from  Bng^ 

Hostilities  commence  with  the  Natives 

..»»°f/*"*  ■"•*  °««">  of  King  Philip 

1609.  Voyages  of  Henry  Hudson  .       . 

1019.  Settlement  of  Delaware 

IM«.  Peter  Stuyvesant  appointed  Governor  "of 

New  Netheriands ... 
IBM.  Dutch  Possessions  surrendered  to  theEnc- 

Hsh      .... 
I«80.  William  Penn  obtains  a  Grant  of  Landi'in 

America . 

ISS:i???"m"??i '''[^*'y  «""•' ^he  Indlani    . 
122i"V}^  H'»  Difficulties  with  the  Settlers       . 

••"'•  il^'of^'Cnla"  ^•■"""  "•  »'  ■'""«»'' 

!mS:  aSn\'^'nS?r^°'^"°""''^°™»^ 

.703.  Attack  on  St.  Augustine    .  m 

War  with  the  Indians  as 

Intemal  Conmotjoni  .  ■".*.'  99 


S9 
35 
38 

42 
43 
45 
48 
47 
51 
52 
54 
56 
58 
61 

65 

68 
69 
79 

74 
75 
77 
78 
81 

89 

84 

86 
87 
89 

93 
94 
96 
96 


A.D. 


106 


1789.  Colony  reverts  to  the  Crown 

iTM  tP^T"""  "J  '!?'"■"'  '""^  South  Carol'»i  lou 

1732.  Settlement  of  Georgia  .        .  ini 

1738.  Spanish  War  breaks  out    .        .    '    .    '  m 

1,52.  Georgia  becomes  a  royal  Colony .  lOS 

i,.,„'''J;'^''°''''*'"'Ko  Washington       .  '  109 

753.  His  Mission  to  the  Western  Territory .  .  106 

li.V  {,'"""  ^'"'  *  ^"^°"  of  the  Coloniei    .        .  |06 

Ul2'  f^Pedition  and  Defeat  of  Gen.  Braddock  .  109 

m,   ?,"<=ces«  of  the  French  under  Montcalm  .  Ill 

\IkI'  )'8orous  Measures  of  William  Pitt    .  .119 

1758.  Cession  of  Canada  by  France  .        .  HI 
1763.  Progress  of  the  Colonies  in  Population. 

Commerce,  Ac ;  m 

HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLOTION. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Introductory  Remarks  . 

1765.  Stamp  Act  passed. 

1766.  Meeting  of  the  first  Congress   .   '       '       * 
Tumults  In  the  Colonies  .        . 
Repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act  ... 

1767.  New  Taxes  Imposed     .        .    '   .    * 
Fresh  Troubles  in  consequence  . 

J 'Jo- Non  Importation  Agreement 

IJSn   '"temperance  of  Uie  British  Parliament .   ' 

1770_(2ado(April)  Duties  repealed:  (SthMwh) 

Boston  Massacre      .... 

Captain  Preston  tried  and  acquitted 
177S.  (Bthof  June).  The  Caspar  Schooner  burned 

(January).  Assembly  at  Boston  j  Indiscretion 
of  the  Governor 

CHAPTER  II. 

1772.  (I6th  jf  December).  Destruction  of  Tea  In 

Boston  Harbor  . 
1774.  The  Boston  Port  Bill .        .   '    .   ' 

Arrival  of  Troops  at  Boston    .    '       '       ' 
(25th  of  August)  Writs  issued  for  an  Assem- 
bly at  Salem  ;  {9th  of  September)  coun- 
termanded, but  meets  and  resolvoi  Itself 
into  a  Provincial  Congreaa 
General  Gage  fortifies  Boston  Neck    '  in 

Sufl'olk  Resolutions  .  {» 

Proceedings  of  Congress  .    '       '      im 

They  publish  a  Declaration  of  Rljhti.   "    .   "  JS 
Petition  from  Congress  to  the  Sing  im 

(26th  of  October).  Dissolution  of  Conness    '  IM 
Meeting  of  the  Provincial  Congresi  at  Con- 

cord  ;  they  adjourn  to  Cambridge       .  m 

Engage  Minute  Men     ...  iS 

A  Committee  of  Safety  and  Supplies  '       '      iir 

Hostile  Resolution  of  the  Provincial  Congreii  IM 

Eiportation  of  the  Military  Stores  from^" 

ain  prohibited ;   Cannon  removed  by  the 

People  of  Rhode  Island       .  ' 

, ...Military  Stores  taken  in  New  Ham'pshlra 

1775.  General  Agitation  .  ■npsrare 


IIS 
117 
117 
119 
190 
191 
129 
193 
121 

194 
194 
19.<l 

IM 


199 
IW 
ISI 


131 
IM 


r,  e       *  '*  •  .  IM 

Debates  on  American  Affairs  in  ParUanient  "  IM 


IM 
IM 
IM 


Provincial  Congress 

Colonel  Leslie  marches  to  Salem 


IM 
IW 


OHItONOLOCiCAL   INDEX. 


P««* 

,            , 

loa 

Caral'nt 

lOU 

101 

. 

IM 

)ny.       . 

.  lOS 

on 

105 

erritorjr . 

.  lOfl 

niei    . 

■Off 

.  Braddcck 

.  109 

Montcalm . 

III 

tnPitt    . 

.  119 

lit 

Population, 


iLDTION. 


* 

IIS 

.          , 

.  117 

• 

117 

. 

.  114 

■          •          • 

190 

. 

.  191 

19* 

.  193 

in 

arllament . 

(Sth  March) 

■       , 

■  194 

tted  . 

194 

oonerbumed  IM 

Indiacretion 

• 

19a 

on  of  Toa  In 

. 

199 

•       • 

ISO 

131 

r  an  Astern- 

mber)  conn- 

olvoi  ttaeir 

.              ,              , 

133 

9Ck 

133 

• 

134 

•          •          . 

I3S 

(hti. 

139 

ng       .       . 

130 

Congroii 

130 

rest  at  Con- 

ge      .       . 

13) 

,              , 

137 

Ilea     . 

137 

al  CoBgreii 
•  from  Brit- 

138 

▼ed  b)r  the 

•       . 

IMI 

mpshlra  . 

ISO 
138 
139 

'arllament 

, 

139 

• 

isr 

*  b  Paoi 

1779.  (IStli  April).  Battle  ofLexIngton  and  Concord  140 
importance  of  the  War  ....  143 
Inequality  of  llie  Partiea  engaged  .        ,        .  142 

Colonia:  Army 143 

Bravery  of  CiTiHral  Putnam    .  .143 

New  York,  New  Jersey,  Philadelphia,  Mary- 
land, and  Virginia,  espouse  the  Cauie  of 

tlieir  Countrymen 146 

Lord  Dunmore  convenes  the  Assembly  .  147 

Goes  on  board  the  Fowey  Man-of-War  147 

Provincial  Convention     ...  .149 

Lord  Duntnnre's  predatory  Warfare    .  148 

Issues  a  Proclamation      ....  14S 

Captain  Fordvce  killed         ....      148 

1776.  (1st  Janunry).  Norfolk  burned  .        .149 

John  Connelly's  Plot  frustrated  .        .        .149 

1775.  Proceedings  in  South  Carolina  .  .  .149 
Arrival  of  Lciril  William  Campbell  150 

Reorgia  joins  the  Union  .        ,  .  150 

CHAPTER  III. 

1774.  New  Parliament 150 

17^5.  Joint  Address  of  both  Houses       .        .        .150 

Ticonderoga  surprised 152 

Congress  meets        ....  .153 

Second  Petition  to  the  King  .        .      152 

Warlike  Preparations 1S3 

(15th  of  June).  George  Washington  chosen 

Commander-in-Chief         .        .        .        .153 
His  Address  to  the  President  of  Congress  .       153 
Irregularity  of  the  Anieiican  Army  .  153 
Generals  llowe,  Burgoyne,  and  Clinton,  ar- 
rive at  Boston 153 

(17th  June).  Battle  of  Bunker's  Hill      .  154 

Dealh  of  General  Warren  ....  157 
Treatment  of  Prisoners  :  Discussions  respcrt- 

ing  them isg 

Skirmishes |59 

Scarcity  of  Provisions  in  Bo.ston  .        .159 

Danger  of  short  Enlistments  .159 

The  Riiyal  Cruisers  carry  or  a  predatory  War- 
fare against  Inhabitants  on  the  Coast  of 

New  England 161 

Privateeri |61 

Military   Transport    gallantly   captured    by 

Isaiah  Doane 161 

Canada  invaded  by  the  Americans  163 

Fort  Si.  John  taken 163 

General  Carleton  defeated  on  his  Way  from 

Montreal i(n 

General  Prescott  taken 164 

General  Montgomery  marches  against  Que- 
bec :  joined  by  Arnold       ....      165 
Attacks  Quebec  ;  is  killed,  and  his  Troops  re- 
pulsed      IflT 

Arnold  wounded 167 

Honorable  Conduct  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton  .  .^C7 
Arnold  resumes  the  Siege  of  Quebec  ;  Is  un- 

tuccess.'ul  {  defeats  a  Body  of  Canadians     169 
Major-General   Thomas  arrives  :  retreats  ; 

dlea 170 

Succeeded  In  Command  by  General  Sullivan  170 
Surrender  of  the  Cedars  .       .       .170 

Arnold  marches  toward  the  Cedars ;  signs 

the  Cartel  and  retires ]7I 

An  Increased  British  Force  in  Canada  171 

General  Sullivan  retreats,  and  is  pursued  .171 
Retreat  of  General  Arnold  .       ,  IVI 

General  Carleton  advance!  to  the  Lakes ; 

constructs  a  Fleet 171 

(OctoLer).  Battle  of  Lake  Champlam .  .  179 
General  Carleton  retires  to  Isle  aux  Noix  .  173 
(6th  July).  Declaration  of  Congress   .  173 

i.Sih  July).  Their  second  Petition  to  the  King 
transmitted  to  Richard  Penn,  who  sails  for 

England 173 

A  Postoffice  established  ;  Benjamin  Franklin 
elected  Postmaster-General  174 

CHAPTER  IV. 

nt.  Congress  adjourns ;   (Sth  September)  they 

reassemble 174 

British  Interest  m  New  Tork  174 

'^onveDtlon  of  New  Hampshire  |7S 


AD  PisB 

1775.  Committee   appointed  to  correspond  with 
their  Friends  in  Britain  and  Ireland  .       .      17S 

8hips-of-War 17» 

The  Colonies  make  active  Preparations  for 
War .  I7S 

1776.  Armies  of  Boston I7t 

Dorchester  Heights I7S 

(17th  March).    Boston  evacuated  177 
General  Wa.sliington  enters  Boston  ;  Enthu- 
siasm of  the  People 177 

General  Howe  sails  for  Halifax  ...      177 
Several  British  Sl^ps  and  Transports,  with 
Lieutenant-Colonid    Campbell,    taken    by 
some  American  Privateers  ....  177 
General  Washington  marches  to  New  York     180 
Affair  of  the  Cunninghams  .  .180 

Major  Williamson  marclics  against  them  .  180 
Province  forms  a  temporary  Government  .  180 
Situation  of  Cliarleston        ....      180 

British  Reinforcements 163 

Proclamation  of  Government      .       .       .183 

Fort  Sullivan  attacked 183 

The  British  repulsed  with  great  Lost  .  184 
Indiana  attack  the  Western  Frontiers  of  the 

Southern  States  180 

Moses  Kirkland's  fiot 180 

Change  in  the  Sentiments  of  the  People  and 

Congress 188 

(4th  of  July).  The  I'eclaration  of  Independ- 
ence     190 

Efl'ect  upon  the  general  Aspect  of  the  Con- 
test           .190 

CHAPTER  V. 

1776.  Preparations  of   General  Washington  at 

New  York 190 

General  Howe  lands  at  Staten  Island  with  a 

formidable  Force 190 

Correspondence  with  Commissioners  .  190 
(28tli  of  AukMiat).  Battle  of  Long  Island  .  194 
Ueleal  and  Retreat  of  the  Americans  197 

Committee  of  Congress  meet  Lord  Howe  .  199 
(13tli  of  September).  The  British  take  Poa- 

session  of  New  York  ,  ...  199 
(aistofSeptember).  Destructive  Fire  in  New 

York 199 

(2fith  of  October).  Battle  of  Bronx       .  901 

(15th  of  November).  Forts  Washington  and 

Lee  taken 909 

Advance  of  Lord  Comwallis,  and  Retreat  of 

Gen.  Washington  to  Brunswick  903 

(8th  of   Uecemberi.     General    Washington 

passes  the  Delaware    ....  903 

(13th  of  December).  Oen.  Lee  made  Pruoner  904 
Depression  of  the  Americans  .  .904 

Rhndn  Island  taken 904 

Dejection  of  the  Americans  ....  904 
(3Utli  of  November).    Proclamation  of  Lord 

Howe '        .      904 

(ISth  of  December).  Congress  quiU  Phila- 
delphia    905 

Short  Enlistments 909 

New  Army  raised SU9 

Commissioners  sent  to  diflerent  Courts  of 

Europe Wl 

Appeal  of  Congress  to  all  the  Provincei  ol 

the  Union 907 

Failure  of  Mr.  Edmund  Burke's  Conciliatory 

Bill 908 

CHAPTER  VI. 

1776.  (36th  of  December).  Attack  on  Trenton     .  909 
Success  of  the  Americans    .  .        .      911 

1777.  (9d  of  January).  Battle  of  Princeton   .        .  913 
Death  of  General  Mercer     ....      913 
Americans  at  Msrristown        ....  917 
General  Washington's  desultory  and  Indeci- 
sive Warfare  in  the  Jerseys  .917 

Rival  Proclamations 917 

Prisoners  of  War 919 

Captivity  of  General  Lee  ....  919 
Articles  uf  Confederation  and  peqietual  Union 

between  the  States S9I 

('omniittee  of  the  States  931 

nth  of  November).  Confedsratiop  ratiee<*      29f 


CHRONOLOGICAI.   INDEX. 


:;hapter  vii. 

i.D.  Paoi. 

.T77.  P<nant«t  of  Conrreii  .  .  333 

Supinenesi  of  the  People  333 

War  popular  in  Britain    .  334 

Weit  Indiei  ....  334 

Partiality  of  the  Frpnch  for  the  Americani  .  334 
Loyaliats  in  the  Provinces  .  .  .  .334 
Opening  of  the  Campaign  ;  predatory  Incur- 

iiona 334 

(33d  of  March).  Storaa  at  Peeki|[ill  deatroyed  333 
(13th  of  April).  Earl  Cornwallla  attaclta  Gen- 
eral Lincoln 333 

(37th  of  April).  Major-General  Tryon'a  Expe- 
dition against  Oanbury 330 

Death  of  General  VVooster  .  .  ,  .336 
(8th  nf  May).   Piacataway  attacked  .  337 

Sag  Harbor 337 

(lUth  of  July).  General  Prescott  taken  .        .  337 
Movement  of  both  Armiea    ....      337 
(3tith  of  June).  General  Howe  advance!  rap- 
idly from  Amboy:  embarka  and  aails  for 

the  southward 338 

(S4th  of  August).  General  Howe  landa  at  the 

Head  of  Elk  River 33] 

(llth  of  September).  Battle  of  Brandywine  .  331 
Marquis  de  la  Fayette  wounded  .        ,  333 

Wilmington  surprised 333 

British  enter  Philadelphia    .        .                .334 
(8th  of  October).   Britis:i   Fleet  enters  the 
Delaware 334 

(4th  of  October).  Battle  of  Germantown    .     334 

Fort  Mifflin 33J 

Unsuccessful  Attack  on  Redbank  ;  Death  of 

Ciuril  Donop 335 

(15th  of  November).  Attack  on  Fort  Mifflin  .  33fl 

Redbank  evacuated 339 

The  Delaware  opened 338 

General  Washington  quits  White  Church  and 
takes  I'ost  at  Valley  Forge        .        .  336 ; 

Noitliern  Campaign 337 

General  Gates  In  the  North        .                .      337 1 
General  Ourgoyne  commands  the  British  Ar- 
my in  Canada        3381 

Detaches  Colonel  St.  Leger  339 1 

Meets   the   Savages  ,    takes   Possession  of 

Mount  Hope ,  340 

(tith  of  July).  Retreat  of  General  St.  Clair  .  ftll 
Is  pursued  by  General  Fraser  .341 

Skirmish  between  Colonel  Long  and  Colonel 
Hill ;  the  Americans  set  Fire  to  the  Works 
at  Fort  Ann,  and  retreat  to  Fort  Edward  .      343 
General  Uurgoync  takes  Possession  of  Ti- 
conderoga  and  Mount  Independence  .        .  343 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

777.  War  of  Proclamation 345 

(30th  of  July).  General  Burgoyne  reaches  Fort 

Edwaid 348 

Retreat  of  General  Schuyler  348 

Events  at  Bennington 349 

(Sd  of  August).  Fort  Stanwix  invested  by  St. 
Leger ...  ....      350 

Defeat  of  General  Herkimer    .  -350 

:33d  of  August).  St.  Leger  raises  the  Siege  of 

Stanwix,  and  retires  to  Montreal  .  351 

'19th  of  August).    General  Gates  takes  the 

Command  of  the  American  Army    .  353 

(30th  of  August).  Correspondence  between 
General  Gates  and  the  British  General  .      353 

Murder  of  Miss  M'Crea 353 

(I«th  of  September).  Battle  of  Stillwater  and 

Saratoga 354 

Engagement  between  General  Burgoyne  and 

the  Americans jjj 

(5th  of  October).    Sir  Henry  Chnton's  Move- 
ments   ]g3 

Fort  Montgomery  taken  ;  Colonel  Campbell 

•lain 3(13 

Fort  i;hnton  stormed 364 

American  Vessels  of  War  burned  by  their 
Crews         ...  ...      364 

forts  In(>ependence  and  Constitution  evac- 
uated       264 

The  Br'iS'    advance  to  Esopus,  wliich  tb*' 
'educe  ,c  Ashes  ...  '   344 


AD.  ««. 

1777.  (16th  ofOctobeo.  Geneal  Burgoyne evlt«- 
lates  i  Results  of  the  Capitulation     •  tM 

Consequences  of  the   Convention  of  •■!«• 

toK>  Ml 

Treaty  with  France 361 

(30th  of  November).  British  Parliament  meets  9n« 
Commissioners  appointed  to  treat  with  the 
Colonies;  they  sail  for  America  3M 

1778.  (Bth  of    February).    Treaty   with    Franca 
signed  at  Paris 887 

News  of  that  Treaty  reaches  Ef\gland  847 

Lord  North's  Conciliatory  Bill  reaches  Amer- 
ica before  the  News  of  the  French  Treaty  367 
British  Army  in  Philadelphia   .  .  tU 

American  Army  at  Valley  Forge  ;  Want  of 

Provisions 869 

Colonel  Mawbood's  Incursion  into  Jersey     .  370 
(4th  of  May).    General  Lacy  escapes   from 

Crooked  Billet 370 

(7th  of  May)    American  Galleys  In  the  Dela- 
ware destroyed 370 

La  Fayette  escapes  from  Baron  Hill   .  371 

(14th  of  April).  Sir  William  Howe  resigns  the 

Command 371 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  appointed  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  British  Army  .378 
(leth  of  June).  Evacuation  of  Philadelphia  .  373 
The  Americans  enter  that  city  .  .  .378 
(38th  of  Juno).  Battle  of  Freeiiold  Courthouse  374 
General  Lee  tried  by  «  Court-Martial,  and 
suspended      ....                .        .  87J 

His  Character 375 

His  Death  (October,  1783)  .376 

The  British  Army  arrivea  at  New  York  876 

Oen.  Washington  marches  to  the  North  River  378 
(5th  of  July).  Count  d'Estaing  arrives  on  the 

Coask  of  America 374 

(3Sdof  July).  Sails  for  Rhode  Island;  Lord 

Howe  follows  him 378 

Both  Fleets  put  to  Sea  ;  separated  by  a  vio- 
lent Storm 377 

Which  overtakes  Sullivan's  Army  .      380 

Americans  march  against  tiie  British  Lines  .  380 
(19th  of  August).  D'Estaing  comes  to  Rhode 
Island,  but  sails  for  Boston  360 

CHAPTER  IX. 

1778.  (28lh  ot  August).  General  Sullivan  escapes  380 
(37lh   of  September).    Colonel    Baylor  aur- 

prised  ;  Wounded  and  made  Prisoner .  .  363 
Captain  Donnp  defeated  ....  383 
Little  Egg  Harbor  attacked  .        .  383 

Pulaski's  Legion  defeated  ....  384 
(9th  of  June).  Admiral  Byron  sails  from  Eng- 
land ;  overtaken  by  a  Storm  ;  his  Fleet  dis- 
persed ;  (September)  arrives  at  New  York ; 
sails  for  Boston ;  a  Second  Time  overta- 
ken by  a  Storm  .384 
(3d  of  November).   D'Estaing  sails  for  the 

West  Indies 384 

Indian  War '    .  38$ 

Wyoming  destroyed  and  the  People  murdered  387 
Fort  Kingston  Invested;  and  the  Inhabitants 

perish  in  one  general  Conflagration  387 

Destruction  of  Wilkesbure  .887 

Cherry  Valley  attacked        ....      888 
Mrs.  Merrill's  Defeat  of  the  Indians  ,  368 

Col.  George  Rogers  Clarke  takes  Kaskaaias    390 

1779.  (February).  Surprises  St.  Vincent,  and  com- 

pels Governor  Hamilton  to  surrender  390 

Irregular  Hostilities  in  Georgia  .391 

Colonel  Campbell  invades  that  State .  30: 

Battle  of  Savannah  .  ....  393 

Defeat  of  the  American  General  Howe  393 

Arrival  of  General  Prevost      ....  394 

Surrender  of  Sunbury 894 

General  Lincoln  appointed  to  command  the 

Southern  Army 894 

Savannah  River    ....                .395 
Boyd's  Loyalists  defeated        .                .        ,895 
Colonel  Campbell  abandons  Augusta,  and  re- 
turns to  Savannah agg 

Ashe  defeated  at  Brier  Creek .        .        ,  8g8 

(33d  of  April).  Lincoln  marches  up  the  Sa- 
vannah 381 


I 


CHRONOLOGICAL   INDEX. 


iir(ojnaeVlt«- 
iilstion     •         tM 
mtlon  of  •■!»• 
.       .       .       . *M 

.     SM 
irliamant  meet!  9n4 
treat  with  the 
irlcB  SM 

'   with    Franca 

.  907 
Ei\elanil  367 

rpachea  Amar- 
French  Treaty  J67 

.      .      .  «a 
>rge ;  Want  of 

.  MO 
into  Jersey  .  370 
escapes  from 

370 
ys  in  the  Dela- 

.  370 
>n  Hill   .  371 

)we  resigns  the 

.  37» 
Jommander-in- 

378 
Philadelphia  .  373 
r    .  .      37J 

Did  Courthouse  374 
rt-Martial,  and 

.  87J 

374 

.  97« 

lew  York  S78 

he  North  River  370 

arrives  on  the 

.  370 
>  Island  ;  Lord 

.      370 
rated  by  a  vio- 

.  377 
rmy  .      380 

British  Lines  .  380 
anies  to  Rhode 

.      360 


illivan  escapes  380 
!l    Daylor  iur- 
Prisoner.       .  363 
383 
.  283 
.      38« 
■ails  from  Eng- 
i  his  Fleet  dis- 
1  at  New  York ; 
Time  overta- 

.        .        .  2W 
;  sails  for  the 

384 

.  365 

tople  murdered  387 

he  Inhabitants 

gration  387 


lians  ,  368 

es  Kaskasias    390 
cent,  and  com- 
urrender  390 

I       .  .391 

State .  39: 

.  39S 
al  ilowe  393 


command  the 

.  394 
39S 
.  S9S 
igusta,  and  re- 

.      390 
■        ,  390 

es  up  the  Sa- 

391 


4.O.  Paom. 

Vm.  (tSthof  Aprt;    (hm.  Prevost  enters  South 

Carolina 398 

Marches  to  ChaAeston 396 

(10th  of  May).  Arrives  at  Ashley  Ferry      .      399 
(13th  of  May).  Summons  Charleston  to  sur- 
render     399 

The  British  Army  retires,  and  recrossas  Ash- 
ley Ferry 299 

General  I'ravost  retreats  to  John's  Island,  and 

is  fdlowed  by  General  Lincoln  .  .  .  299 
(SUtli  of  June).  Engagement  al  Stony  Ferry     300 

Slaves  revolt 301 

(6th  of  May).  Incursion  int'i  Virginia  .  3U1 

Stony  Point  ami  Verplank's  taken  .  .304 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  returns  to  New  York  304 

Coast  of  Connecticut  ravaged  .        .304 

(ISthof  July).  Stony  Point  retaken    .  3li6 

Evacuated 307 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  takes  Posssssion  of  it     .      3I>7 

Penobscot  attacked 307 

Admiral  Arbuthnot  supersedes  Sir  George 

Collier 308 

(20th  of  August).  Major  Lee  attacks  Powle's 

Hook  ;  he  retreats 308 

War  on  the  Six  Nations,  and  the  Southern 

Indians 309 

(33d  of  August).  Sullivan  attacks  the  Indian 

tribes  310 

He  resigns  his  Commission         .        .        .310 
(23d  of  December).  D'Estaing  and  tlie  Ameri- 
cans besiege  Savannah       .       .  .310 
They  attempt  to  storm  the  Town              .312 

Are  repulsed 313 

Effects  of  the  Repulse  :  Ingenious  Enterprise 
01  Colonel  White  during  the  Siege  of  Sa- 
vannah         313 

Weakness  of  the  Southern  States  .  .  31S 

(26th  of  December).  Sir  Henry  Clinton  sails 

from  New  York 3IS 

ITWi  (Uth  of  February).  Lands  on  John's  Island  317 
(9th  of  April).  Siege  of  Charleston  319 

(13th  of  May).  It  surrenders  .332 

Proceedings  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton  322 

Colonel  Buford  surprised  and  defeated  .        .  333 
(Sd  of  June).  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  Proclama- 
tion .333 
(9th  of  June).  He  returns  to  New  York,  leav- 

Lord  Cornwallis  to  command  in  tlie  South  334 
Board  of  Police  established  in  Charleston  .  333 
Rigorous  Measures ;  Baron  de  Kalb  proceeds 

Southward 337 

Colonel  Sumpter  makes  an  Irruption  Into 

South  CaroUna 327 

General  Gates  appointed  tu  command  the 

Southern  Army 336 

(13th  of  August).  Arrives  at  Rugely'a  Mills  .  338 
Lord  Cornwallis  repairs  to  Camden  .  .  339 
Defeat  of  the  Americaits  near  Camden,  and 

Death  of  Baron  de  Kalb  .330 

Colonel  SuDipter  surprised  and  defeated  near 
CaUwba  Ford 331 

CHAPTER  X. 

IT79.  Naval  Operations  of  John  Paul  Jones  .  .  331 

Capture  ol  the  Serapis 330 

IjOSS  of  the  Bon  Homme  Richard   .  .336 

Capture  of  the  Countess  of  Scarborough    .  336 

EOects  of  there  Naval  Victories  .339 


CHAPTER  XI. 


339 


780.  Difficulties  of  General  Washington 
Intense  Frost  in  New  York . 
(14th  of  January).  Attack  on  Siaten  Island  ; 

tne  Americans  repulsed 
Embarrassments  of  Congress 
Mutinous  State  ot  the  American  Army  . 
General  Knyphausen  Invades  Jersey  . 
Destruction  of  Connecticut  Farms 
Murder  of  Mrs.  Caldwell 
(16th  of  June).  Sir  Henry  Clinton  returns  to 

New  York  343 

(23d)  Skirmish  at  Springfield  ...  343 
Evacuation  of  the  Jerseys  ....  343 
Ofnerai  Wayne  attacks  Bergen  Point  343 


340 
340 
341 
341 
341 
343 


AD.  Paei 

1780.  General  La  Fayette  lands  al  Boiton  ;  his 

Reception 341 

Patriotic  Exertions  in  Philadelphia  .  344 

(10th  of  July).  French  Fleet,  with  Troops, 

arrives  In  America 344 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  proceeds  against  Rhoi'a 

Island .344 

Recalled  by  the  Advance  of  General  Wash- 
ington against  Ne<  Y"-*  .  .  344 
Discontent  of  the  Amei  i-.in  Troops  .  344 
1779.  Treason  of  Arnold  .  .  349 
Major  Andre's  Case  .  .  ...  347 
(23d  of  September).  His  Capture  348 

Hii  Trial  and  Execution 349 

(31stof  November).  Major Talmadge'sdeuul- 

tory  Warfare 330 

Cartel 350 

1T80.  Proceedings  of  Lord  Cornwallis  after  the 

B»ttlo  uf  Camden       .        .  .        .      3S1 

He  takes  Possession  of  Charleston  .  3S1 

Colonel  Clarke  attaclts  the  British  at  Augusta  3S3 
Besieges  Colonel  Brown  at  Garden  Hill  333 

Colonel  Clarke  retreats 393 

Depredations  committed  by  Col.  Ferguson      393 
Retreats  toward  Charleston,  and  is  pursued 

by  the  Americans 393 

(7th  of  October).  He  is  defeated  and  killed  on 

King's  Mountain 394 

Earl  Cornwallis  retreats  toward  South  Car 
olina  :  (2yth  October)  reaches  Wynnesbo- 

rough 399 

Americans  assemble  at  Charlotte        .  399 
General  Gates  retreats  to  Salisbury  and  Hills- 
borough   390 

Returns  to  Charlotte     ....  390 
Superseded  in  the  Command  of  the  South- 
ern Army  by  General  Greene      .                .  390 
General  Greene  takes  a  British  Post  at  Cler- 
mont   390 

His  embarrassing  Situation     ....  397 
Correspondence  with  Earl  Cornwallis        .      397 
(27th  of  December).  Col.  Washington  surpri- 
ses a  Body  ul  Loyalists  at  Ninety  Six         .  398 
(12th  of  November).    Sumpter   attacked  at 
liroad  Kiver  by  Major  Wemvss,  whom  he 
takes  Prisoner  398 

(20th  of  November).  Attacked  by  Tarleton  at 
Black  Stocks  and  wounded  ...  398 

General  Marion 398 

1781.  I  I4th  of  January).  General  Tarleton  tver- 

takes  Morgan         ....  .  399 

(17th  of  January).  Battle  of  Cowpens  360 

Tarleton  routed 3A0 

Loss  of  the  British        .        "...      301 
Earl  Cornwallis  forms  a  Junction  with  Colo- 
nel Leslie 361 

(19ih  of  January).  Begins  his  remarkable  Pur- 
suit of  Morgan 361 

(2eth).  Morgan  etcape s 361 

Americans  pursued 363 

Their  Two  Divisions  form  a  Junction    .        .  361 
(14th  of  Februar>).  They  cross  the  Dan  364 
Earl  Cornwallis  marches  back  to   Hillsbo- 
rough       364 

(32d  of  February).   The  Americans  reCK.'s 

the  Dan 369 

(3Sth  of  Feb.).  Pyle's  Loyalists  defeated       .  369 
(27th  of  Feb.).  Retreat  of  Earl  Cornwallis, 

and  Advance  of  General  Greene  39t 

Rencontre  between  Lee  and  Tarleton    .  361 

Battle  of  Guilford  Courthouse     .        .        .367 
Conseiiuences  of  the  Victory  ....  368 

CHAPTER  XII. 

1781.  (17th  of  April).   Eari  Cornwallis  retires  to 

Wilmington 370 

General  Greene  pursues  Earl  Cornwallis      .  370 
Proceeds  to  South  Carolina  .370 

Generals  Lee  and  Marion  attack  Fort  Watson  379 
The  Garrison  capitulates         .        .  .373 

Situation  of  Cimden tit 

Battleof  Hobkeik's  Hill 373 

(7th  of  May).  Colonel  Watson  reaches  Cam 

den,  which  Is  evacuated  .374 

(10th  of  May).  Bri'.ish  Post  taken  174 


*':  .-.^';':'.:  .^'^1  >i"'-V-;"4^N5^  iT*-SS;t^.,->P^"V^V»! 


t-^'ti^m-''^- ' 


CHRONOLOGICAL  INDEX. 


A.D  PiOE. 

1781.  Lord  Rawdon  retires  to  Monk's  Corner  .     374 

(5th  of  June;.    Augusta  taki^n  .375 

(22d  of  May).  Ninety  Six  besieged.        .        .  376 

Siege  rais-jd 378 

Greene  retreats,  and  is  pursi  ed  by  Lord  Raw- 
don  178 

Ninety  Six  evacuated 178 

Both  Armies  return  to  Con^ar  e    .        .       .  378 
Gen.  Greene  joined  by  Manc:i  and  Sumpter    378 
Marches  to  tlie  hiih  Hills  of  Santen       .        .  379 
Lord  Kawdon  embarks  for  Europe,  leaving 
the  Command  with  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stu- 
art       379 

(22d  of  August).  General  Greene  leaves  the 

high  Hills  of  Santee  ...  379 

(gth  of  September).  Battle  of  Eutaw  Springs  380 
Great  Loss  on  both  Sides      ....      380 

Tc-les  and  Whigs 381 

(Cth  of  August).  Execution  of  Col.  Haynes  .      381 
General  Pickens's  Expedition   against  the 
Cherokees 383 

CHAPTER  XHL 

PSI.  Review  of  the  general  Condition  of  Amer 
ica  at  the  beginning  of  the  Year  17SI  . 
Mutiny   of  the   Pennsylvania   and    *?rsey 

Troops         

Sir  Henry  Clinton  endeavors  to  take  Advan. 

tage  of  it 

Relative  Positions  of  the  hostile  Armies  on 

the  Hudson. 
British  and  French  Fleets  meet  off  the  Ches 

ape»ke    

Chesapeake  Bay   

General  Leslie  invades  Virginia     . 
Gen.  Arnold  lands  at  Wcstover ;  enters  Rich 
mond,  where  he  coiiJinits great  Destruction  387 

Returns  to  Westover 367 

Gen.  Philips  takes  the  Command  in  Virginia  .  388 
Baron  Steuben,  unable  to  resist  the  Invaders, 

retreats  toward  Richmond        .        .        .      388 
(30th  of  April).   Generals  Phihps  and  Arnold 
reunite  their  Forces,  and  march  against 

Manchester 388 

De  la  Fayette  takes  the  Command  In  Virginia  389 
Death  of  General  I'hilips  ....  3Stt 
(20th  of  May).  Comwallis  enters  Virginia     .  38i> 

Pursues  La  Fayette 3U0 

Sends  Taileton  against  Charlotteville   .        .  3U0 
And  SImcoe  against  Steuben                        .      3U1 
(7th  of  June).  La  Fayette  joined  by  General 
Wayne  at  Rackoon,  and  returns  South- 
ward        391 

Save  the  Stores  of  Albemarle  Courthouse  391 
Comwallis  returns  down  the  River    .  391 

Adventure  of  Charles  Morgan  .  393 

(•th  of  July).  Skirmish  at  James  River  394 

Earl  Comwa'dii  evacuates  Portsmouth  394 


383 
384 

389 

38S 
386 


A.D.  Paoi 

1781.  Occupies  Yorxtowr  and  Gloucester  Point     394 

French  Donation 394 

Interview  between  Generals  Washington  and 

Rochambeau 394 

The  French  and  American  Armies  .  .  S'M 

They  advance  to  Kingsbridge,  and  retire   .      396 
Count  de  Grasse  encounters  Samuel  Hood  In 

the  Straits  of  St.  Lucie  .  .396 

Resolutions  to  attack  Comwallis  396 

Otin.  Heath  Defends  the  Posts  on  the  Hudson  397 
(30th  of  August).   The  combined  American 

and  French  Armies  enter  Philadelphia      .  397 
Count  de  Grasse  arrives  at  Chesapeake  Bay    397 
Admiral  Graves  pursues  De  Grasse       .       .  398 
(6th  of  September).  Arnold  attacks  New  Lon- 
don     ...       .  ...      398 

(3Sth  of  September.)  A  let  Armiei  land  at 

WiUiamsburgh 399 

(38th  of  Sept.).  They  march  toward  Torktown  399 
(6th  of  October).  Siege  of  Yorktown  .       .     401 
(19th  of  October).  Earl  Comwallis  capitu- 
lates ;  Terms  of  Capitulation      .        .       .  403 
Examination  of  his  Conduct       .        .       .     40T 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

1781.  Count  de  Grasse  sails  for  the  West  Indies  .  407 
(S7th  of  November).  General  Washington  at 

Philadelphia 409 

Marquis  de  la  Fayette  returns  to  Europe  .  40^ 
General  Ross  makes  an  Incursion  into  the 

Country  on  the  Mohawk  ....  409 
An  Engagement  take.s  place  at  Johnstown 

between  him  and  Colonel  Willet  .  .  409 
The  British  retreat,  pursued  by  Willet  409 

Consequences  of  the  Surrerider  of  Yorktown 

and  Capture  of  Comwallis  and  his  Army  .  409 
(37th  of  November).  The  British  Parliament 

meets  j  its  Proceedings  ....  410 
1783.  (34th  of  Muich).  Case  of  Capt  Haddy .  .  410 
SirGuy  Carleton  succeeds  Sir  Henry  Clinton  411 
Pacihc  Communications  .        .        .411 

Proceedings  in  the  Southern  States  .  .411 
(12th  of  April).  Count  de  Grasse  defeated  and 

taken  Prisoner  .  ....     411 

1783.  (19th  of  April).  Peace  resi,ared    .  .419 

American  Independence   acknowledged  by 

Great  Britain 414 

(26th  of  November).  Evacuation  of  New  York 

by  the  British 414 

State  of  the  American  Army  .     414 

Address  to  the  OfRcers  of  the  Army  .  .,.'414 
General  Washington's  Speech  at  the  Meeting 

of  Officers «17 

(4th  of  December).  He  takes  Leave  of  the 

Army  previous  to  his  Resignation  .  .  40 
(S3d  of  December).  Resigns  his  CommiMlon, 

and  retires  tc  Mount  Vernen    .  433 

Character  of  Waahtiifton  «tt 


Qlouceiter  Point     394 


.li  Washington  and 

Annies . 
jge,  and  retire 
rs  Samuel  Hood  In 


394 

394 

39« 

398 

nwatlis  396 

Dsts  on  tlie  Hudson  397 
)mbined  American 
r  Pliiladelphia  .  397 
t  Chesapeake  Bay  397 
le  Grasse  .  .  398 
I  attacks  New  Lon- 

.      398 
e<  Armiei  land  at 

.  390 
1  toward  Torktown  399 
Yorktown  .  401 

Comwallis  capltu- 
ation  .       .  40} 

ict       .        .       .     40T 

XIV. 

r  the  West  Indies  .  407 
ral  Washington  at 


40t 
40» 

409 

409 
409 

409 

410 

Capt  Haddy .  .  410 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  411 
.  411 
rn  States  .  .411 
irasse  defeated  and 


irna  to  Europe 
Incursion  into  the 

ace  at  Johnstown 
el  Willet 
ed  by  Willet 
ender  of  Yorktown 
lis  and  his  Army  . 
British  Parliament 


isiored    . 
acknowledged  by 

lationofNew  York 

ny       .        .       . 
the  Army  .,. 

lech  at  the  Meeting 

ikes  Leave  of  the 

esiination 

IS  his  Commlaalon, 

man    . 


411 

4IS 

414 

414 
414 

■*i* 

«17 

49* 

4«9 
«tt 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


INTRODUCTORY  CHAPTER. 

ria  ^^'"■ 

3.  Skeleton  and  Arrow-Heads  found  at 

FalJRiver 15 

4.  Runic  Inscription  on  Dighton Rock.  16 
6.  Old  Stone  Tower  at  Newport,  R.  I.  16 

6.  Christopher  Columbus 17 

7.  Mutiny  on  board  the  Santa  Maria. .  20 

8.  View  of  Lisbon 22 

9.  Columbus  and  the  Egg 24 

10.  Tomb  of  Columbus,  Seville  Cathe- 
dral   24 

Portrait  of  Sebastion  Cabot 27 

iz  Portrait  of  AraericusVespuccius...  28 

13.  Pizarro 29 

14.  Battle  between  Pizarro  and  Almagro  31 

15.  Portrait  of  Hernando  de  Soto. 32 

View  of  Maiden's  Rock,  on  the  Mis- 


17. 
18. 
19 


sissipp) 


36 


Portrait  of  Verazzano 37 


Birthplace  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh ...  40 

Portrait  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh. . . .  41 

20.  Landing  of  the  English  at  Roanoke  43 

21.  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  taking  Leave  of 
his  Family 50 

Portrait  of  Capt.  John  Smith 63 

An  Indian  Warrior 66 

Frontlet  of  the  Queen  of  Pamunkey  57 

Portrait  of  Pocahontas ...........  68 

Pocahontas  saving  the  Life  of  Cap- 
tain John  Smith 69 

Ruins  of  Jamestown 62 

Portrait  of  Cecil  Calvert,  Lord  Bal- 
timore   66 

Tattooed  Indian  70 

Portrait  of  Charles  1 73 

_ ..  Portrait  of  Governor  Winthrop. ...  76 
32.  King  Philip,  the  Last  of  the  Wam- 

panoags 78 

The  Palisades,  on  the  Hud?on  River  80 

Portrait  of  Peter  Stuyvesant 83 

Portrait  of  Oliver  Cromwell ......  84 

Portrait  of  William  Prnn 86 

Signing  ine  Treaty  of  Penn  with 

thelndiaoi 88 


Fio.  ?*•■• 

38.  Monument  of  Penn's  Treaty 91 

39.  Squatter* 93 

40.  View  of  the  Public  Square  in  St. 

Augustine,  Florida 97 

41.  Male  and  Female  ludian 98 

42.  Portrait  of  Gen.  Oglethorpe 101 

43.  Washington,  from  an  early  Print,  by 

Trumbull 106 

44.  Portrait  of  Benjamin  Franklin....   107 

45.  Defeat  of  Gen.  Braddock,  9th  July, 

1755 108 

46.  Western  Hunter,  in  proper  Costume  110 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 

47.  Portrait  of  Col  Barr6..... 117 

48.  Portrait  of  Patrick  Henr/ 118 

49.  Portrait  of  Gen.  Conway 119 

50.  Portrait  of  John  Hancock 1 23 

61.  Boston  Massacre 126 

62.  Portrait  of  Samuel  Adams 126 

63.  Residence  of  the  Adams  Family, 

Quincy,  Mass 127 

64.  Destruction  of  the  Tea  in  Boston 

Harbo; 131 

66.  American  Militia  and  Minute  Men 

at  Lexington 141 

66.  Putman  and  the  Wolf 144 

57.  View  of  Yorktown 147 

68.  Statue  of  the  Earl  of  Chatham 151 

69.  Throwing    up   Entrenchments    on 

Bunker'sHiU 154 

60.  Encampment  on  Breed's  Hill 155 

61.  Plan  of  the  Battle  of  Banker's  Hill.  156 

62.  Portrait  of  Gen.  Clinton 157 

63.  Monument  on  Bunker's  Hill 158 

64.  Washington's  Headquarters,  Cam- 

bridge   160 

66.  Yankne  Privateersman 162 

66.  View  of  St.  John,  on  the  Sorel. . ..   163 

67.  Arnold  crossing  the  River  Sorel. ...   166 

68.  View  ot  Quebec 168 

69.  British  Soldiers  firing  at  a  Flag  of 

Truce 123 


10 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Fio.  Paoe. 

70.  ViewofSt.  Paul's  Church,  N.York  168 

71.  Montgomery  leading  on  his  Men...   169 

72.  Portrait  of  Gen.  Carleton 170 

73.  Engagement  on  Lake  Champlain..   172 

74.  St.  Anthony's  Nose,  View  on  the 

Hudson  River 175 

75.  View   of  Boston   from  Dorchester 

Heights 177 

76.  View  of  Boston,  taken  on  the  road  to 

Dorcliester 179 

77.  Medal  tu  commemorate  the  Evacua- 

tion of  Boston  by  tlie  British 181 

78.  Portrait  of  William  Moultrie,  Maj. 

Gen.U.S.A 182 

79.  Sir  Peter  Parker 184 

80.  Capture  of  the  Acteon 185 

81.  Carpenter's  Hal],  Philadelphia 187 

82.  Portrait  of  John  Adams 188 

83.  Monticello,   Residence  of  Thomas 

Jefferson 189 

84.  Liberty  and  Independence 191 

85.  View  of  New  York  from  Long  Island  193 

86.  Plan  of  the  Battle  of  Long  Island. .   195 

87.  East  River  from  Long  Island  in  1834  200 

88.  Fort  Washington 202 

89.  Portrait  of  Charles  Carroll  of  Car- 

roUton 206 

90.  Portrait  of  Edmund  Burke 208 

■   91.  Portrait  of  General  Putnam 209 

92.  Washington  approaching  the  Dela- 

ware  , 210 

93.  Portrait  of  Col.  Knox 210 

94.  Portrait  of  Lord  Cornwallis 212 

95.  Birthplace  of  President  Monroe....  214 

96.  Washington's  Headquarters,  Morris- 

town,  N.  J 218 

97.  Tie  old  Jail  in  New  York 220 

98.  Grt-tt  Seal  of  the  United  States 222 

99.  Contii^ental  Money 223 

100.  Portrait  of  General  Lincoln 226 

101.  Retreat  of  General  Tryon 226 

102.  Map  of  Operations  in  New  Jersey, 

Pennsylvnnia,  Delaware 229 

103.  Portrait  of  Pulaski 230 

104.  Portrait  of  De  Kalb 230 

105.  Departure  of  Lafayette 233 

106.  Portrait  of  General  Wayne 234 

107.  The  old  Fort  at  Ticonderoga,  N.  Y .  239 

108.  Burgoyne's  Attack  on  the  American 

Bateaux 242 

109.  Map  of  Burgoyne's  Route  previoui 

to  his  Surrender  at  Saratoga 244 

1 10.  View  of  Lake  Saratogo. 248 

111.  An  American  Backwoodsman 247 

112.  Lake  George 248 

113.  Murder  of  Miss  Jane  M'Crea 253 

114.  Burgoyne'rf  Retreat 287 


Fio. 
115. 

116. 

117. 
118. 
119. 
120. 
121. 
122. 
123. 
124. 
125. 
126. 
127. 

128. 
129. 
130. 
131. 
132. 
133. 
134. 
135. 
136. 
137. 
138. 
139. 
140. 
141. 
142. 

143. 
M4. 
146. 
146. 
147. 
148. 
149. 
150. 
151. 
162. 
153. 
154, 

166. 

167. 
158. 

169. 


160. 
161. 

162. 


W  ashmgton's  Heodquarterfc  at  New- 
burg  259 

Burgoyne's  Encampment  on  North 

River 260 

Field  of  Saratoga 261 

Attack  on  Fort  Montgomerj- 263 

Portrait  of  Silas  Deane 268 

Philadelphia  in  1778 268 

Village  of  Log  Huts 269 

Newport  in  1777 277 

Rhode  Island  Statehouse,  Newport. .  279 
Chart  of  the  Harbor  of  Newport. . .  281 

Vale  of  Wyoming 286 

Mrs.  Merrill  killing  the  Indian 289 

Map  of  the  Seat  of  War  in  the  South- 
ern States 29£ 

City  Hall,  Augusta,  Georgia 297 

Hired  Hessians 301 

Southern  States 302 

Washington  at  Stony  Point 305 

A  War  Party  of  Indians 309 

Portrait  of  Brandt 311 

Admiral  d'Estaing 314 

Savannah,  1778 316 

British  Fleet  off  Charleston 318 

Charleston,  South  Carolina,  1835..  320 

A  French  Fusileer 324 

Relieving  the  Prisoners 326 

John  Paul  Jones 332 

Serapis  and  Bon  Homme  Richard.. .  334 
Capture  of  the  Countess  of  Scarbo- 
rough    334 

Medal  presented  to  La  Fayette....  337 

Count  de  Rochambeau 346 

View  of  West  Pomt 346 

Major  Andre 347 

Benedict  Arnold 349 

Flying  from  British  Oppression....  353 

Death  of  Ferguson 355 

Lord  Rawdon 371 

Baron  Steuben 387 

Yorktown,  Virginia 400 

Monument  of  Hamilton 401 

155.  Marquis  de  La  Fayette  and  hit 

Soldiers 402 

Plan  of  the  Investment  of  York,  Vir- 
ginia   404 

Moore's  House  at  Yorktown 406 

Acknowledgment  of  American  Inde- 
pendence by  France 413 

Statue  of  Hamilton  destroyed  at  the 
great  Fire  in  New  York,  Dec.  16th 

1836 418 

Portrait  of  General  Washington ...    4 19 
Washington's  Residence,  Mount  V«r 

non 42] 

Franklin  Medal 423 


Pa9B 

en  at  New- 

, 259 

I  on  North 

260 

261 

erj- 263 

, 268 

268 

269 

277 

Newport..  279 

lewport...  281 

286 

ndianB....  289 
1  theSouth- 

29£ 

-gia 297 

301 

302 

nt 305 

309 

311 

314 

316 

on 318 

ti%,  1835..  320 

324 

326 

332 

Richard...  334 
ofScarbo- 

334 

ayette....  337 

346 

346 

347 

349 

esiion....  353 

365 

371 

■■(••••■a      OoT 

400 

401 

tte  and  hia 

402 

York,Vir- 

404 

iwn 406 

rican  Inde- 

413 

>yed  at  thr 
Dec.  16th 

415 

ington...     419 
tfonntVnr 

421 

423 


THE 


PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


CF    THE 


AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 


INTRODUCTION. 


We  propose  to  give  a  brief  history  of  the  war  of  the  American  Revolution,  a 
contest  waged  by  the  American  colonies,  then  in  their  infancy,  but  relying  on 
the  justice  of  their  cause,  against  the  fleets  and  armies  of  a  mighty  kingdom,  un- 
equalled for  its  giant  strength  and  resources.  That  important  event  has  brought 
a  powerful  nation  into  active  life  ;  it  laid  the  foundation  of  the  American  republic, 
the  pattern  model  of  a  democratic  form  of  government,  which  proves  to  every 
candid  inquirer  that  man  is  capable  of  governing  himself,  and  which  shines 
brightly,  as  the  beacon-fire  of  liberty,  to  the  whole  world.  Before  proceeding 
directly  to  the  war,  it  will  be  useful  to  glance  at  the  earlier  history  and  discov- 
erers of  America. 

I.  Eric  the  Red,  with  his  household,  emigrated  from  Iceland  to  Greenland, 
where  they  formed  «  settlement.  Among  those  who  accompanied  him  was 
Heriulf  Bardson,  whose  son  Biarne  happened  at  this  time  to  be  on  a  trading 
voyage  to  Norway.  Eric  established  himself  at  Brattalid  in  Ericsfiod,  and 
Heriulf  Bardson  settled  at  Heriulfsnes. 

When  Biarne  returned  to  Eyrar  in  Iceland,  and  found  that  his  father  had  de- 
parted, he  determined  upon  spending  the  following  winter  with  him,  as  he  had 
done  the  preceding  ones,  although  he  and  all  his  people  were  entirely  ignorant 
of  the  navigation  of  the  Greenland  sea.  To  this  determination  the  original  dis- 
covery of  America  appears  to  be  owing. 

They  commenced  their  voyage  ;  fogs  and  northerly  winds  arose,  and  for  many 
days  they  were  driven  they  knew  not  whither.  At  length  they  descried  a  land 
without  mountains,  overgrown  with  wood,  and  presenting  many  gentle  elevations  ; 
but  as  it  did  not  correspond  with  the  deocriptions  which  they  had  received  of 
Greenland,  they  left  it  to  the  larboard,  and  pursued  their  course  for  two  days, 
when  they  came  to  another  land,  which  was  flat  and  overgrown  with  wood.  They 
again  stood  out  to  sea,  and,  after  three  days'  sailing  with  a  southwest  wind,  per- 
ceived a  third  land,  which  Biarne  discovered  to  be  an  island  ;  but  as  it  did  not 
present  an  inviting  aspect,  being  mountainous  and  covered  with  glaciers,  he  did 
not  go  on  shore,  but  bore  away  with  the  same  wind,  and,  after  fbur  days'  sailing, 
arrived  at  Heriulfsnes  in  Greenland.     This  was  in  the  summer  of  986. 

Alout  eight  years  after  this  Biarne  went  on  a  visit  to  Eric,  Earl  of  Norway 
and  related  to  him  his  voyage,  with  an  account  of  the  strange  lands  he  had  dis- 
covered. Biarne's  description  of  the  coasts  was  very  accurate,  but  he  was  much 
blamed  for  not  having  made  himself  better  acquainted  with  the  country. 

In  (ireenUnJ  his  voyage  had  excited  much  interest,  and,  on  his  return,  a  voy* 
tge  of  discovery  was  projected. 


13 


THE   PICTORIAL   HISTOKY 


Among  thoae  whose  curiosity  had  been  excited  by  the  discovery  of  the  un 
icnown  lands,  was  Leif,  one  of  the  sons  of  Eric  the  Red.  'I'his  enterprising 
navigator  purchased  Biarne's  ship,  and,  having  manned  it  with  a  crew  of  thirty- 
five  men,  set  sail  in  quest  of  strange  lands,  in  the  year  1000.  The  first  land 
ihey  made  was  that  which  Biarne  had  seen  last.  Here  they  went  on  shore ; 
not  a  blade  of  grass  was  to  be  seen,  but  everywhere  mountains  of  ice,  and  be- 
tween these  and  the  shore  one  barren  plain  of  slate  (hella).  This  country  not 
appearing  to  possess  any  good  qualities,  they  called  it  Helluland,  and  put  to  sea 
again.  This  was  the  land  which  Biarne  had  discovered  to  be  an  island,  and 
was  doubtless  Newfoundland,  which  in  modern  descriptions  is  said  partly  to  con- 
sist of  naked  rocky  flats  where  not  even  a  shrub  can  grow,  and  therefore  called 
Barrens  ;  thus  corresponding  to  the  island  of  Helluland  first  discovered  by  Biarne. 
The  next  land  they  came  to,  and  where  they  went  on  shore,  was  level,  covered 
with  woods,  and  characterized  by  clifls  of  white  sand  and  a  low  coast ;  they 
called  it  Markland  (Woodland).  This  countrj',  southwest  of  Helluland,  and  dis- 
tant from  it  about  three  days'  sail,  is  Nova  Scotia,  of  which  the  descriptions 
given  by  later  writers  answers  completely  to  that  given  by  the  ancient  Northmen 
of  Markland.  Leif  left  this  country,  and,  after  two  days'  sailing  with  a  northeast 
wind,  came  to  an  island  eastward  of  the  mainland.  They  sailed  westward,  and 
went  on  shore  at  a  place  where  a  river  issued  from  a  lake  and  flowed  into  the 
sea.  Here  they  first  raised  some  log-huts,  but  when  they  had  determined  upon 
passing  the  winter  there,  they  built  commodious  houses,  which  were  afterward 
called  Leifsbudir  (Leifs  booths).  Leif  then  divided  his  people  into  two  com- 
panies, which  were  alternately  to  be  employed  in  guarding  the  houses  and  in  ma- 
king short  excursions.  He  gave  them  special  instructions  not  to  go  farther  than 
would  admit  of  their  return  on  the  same  evening.  It  happened  one  day  that  one 
of  his  followers,  a  German  named  Tyrker,  was  missing.  Leif,  with  a  small 
party,  went  out  to  seek  him,  but  they  soon  met  him  returning.  He  infornied 
them  that  he  had  not  been  far,  but  had  discovered  vines  and  grapes,  with  which 
he  was  well  acquainted,  having  been  born  in  a  country  where  vines  grew.  They 
had  now  two  employments — hewing  of  timber  for  loading  the  ship,  and  collecting 
grapes,  with  which  they  filled  the  long  boat.  Leif  named  the  country  Vinland 
(Vineland),  and  in  the  spring  departed  thence  for  Greenland. 

The  country  thus  named  Vineland,  and  which  is  proved  to  be  identical  with 
Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  naturally  became  the  theme  of  much  conver- 
sation in  Greenland ;  and  Leifs  brother,  Thorwald,  thinking  it  had  not  been 
sufficiently  explored,  was  desirous  of  making  a  voyage  thither,  with  a  view  to 
more  extensive  researches.  In  pursuance  of  this  object  he  borrowed  Leifs  ship, 
and  having  received  his  instructions  and  advice,  set  sail  in  the  year  1002.  They 
reached  Vineland  at  Leifsbooths,  and  spent  the  winter  there.  In  the  spring  of 
1003  Thorwald  equipped  the  ship's  long-boat  with  a  party  of  his  followers  for 
the  purpose  of  making  a  voyage  of  discovery  southward.  They  found  the  coim- 
trv  extremely  beautiful,  but  without  any  appearance  of  men  having  been  there 
before  them,  except  on  an  island  to  the  westward,  where  they  discovered  a 
wooden  shed.  They  did  not  return  to  their  companions  at  Leifsbooths  until 
autumn. 

In  the  summer  of  1004  Thorwald  left  a  party  at  Leifsbooths,  and  steermg  hi» 
course  first  eastward  and  then  northward,  passed  a  remarkable  headland  enclosing 
a  bay.  They  called  it  Kialarnes  (Keelcape),  from  its  resemblance  to  the  keel 
of  their  ship.  This  promontory,  which  modern  geographers  have  sometimes 
likened  to  a  horn  and  sometimes  to  a  sickle,  is  Cape  Cod.  They  sailed  along 
the  eastern  coast  into  one  of  the  nearest  firths,  until  they  arrived  at  a  promontory 
entirely  overgrown  with  wood,  where  thoy  all  landed.  Thorwald  was  so  much 
pleased  with  this  spot.,  that  he  exclaimed  to  his  companions,  "  Here  it  is  beau 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


13 


ry  of  the  un 

enterprising 
}w  of  thirty- 
le  first  land 
t  on  shore; 

ice,  and  be- 
J  country  not 
ad  put  to  sea 
I  island,  and 
partly  to  con- 
refore  called 
3d  by  BJarne. 
8vel,  covered 

coast;  they 
and,  and  dis- 

descriptions 
int  Northmen 
h  a  northeast 
estward,  and 
ved  into  the 
trmined  upon 
re  afterward 
to  two  com- 
es and  in  ma- 
}  farther  than 

day  that  one 
vith  a  small 
He  informed 
,  with  which 
frew.  They 
ind  collecting 
intry  Vinland 

dentical  with 
nuch  conver- 
ad  not  been 
th  a  view  to 
id  LeiTs  ship, 
1002.  They 
the  spring  of 
followers  for 
ind  the  coun« 
g  been  there 
discovered  a 
sbooths  until 

1  steering  hin 
and  enclosing 
:e  to  the  keel 
re  sometimes 
sailed  along 
a  promontory 
was  so  much 
9re  it  is  beau 


tiful,  and  here  I  should  like  well  to  fix  my  dwelling."  He  little  bought  that, 
instead  of  being  his  dweUing,  it  was  so  soon  to  be  his  burial-place.  As  they 
were  preparinij;  to  go  on  board,  they  descried  on  the  sandy  beach  three  hillocks, 
which,  on  a  near  approach,  were  found  to  be  three  canoes,  and  under  each  three 
Skrellings  (Esquimaux).  A  fight  ensued  :  eight  of  the  Skrellings  were  killed; 
the  ninth  escaped  with  his  canoe.  Afterward  a  numerous  party  rushed  upon 
them  from  the  interior  of  the  bay,  and  discharged  arrows  at  them.  Thorwald 
and  his  party  endeavored  to  shield  themselves  by  raising  little  screens  on  the 
ship's  side,  and  the  Skrellings  at  length  retired,  but  not  till  Thorwald  had  re 
ceived  a  wound  under  the  arm  from  an  arrow.  Finding  the  wound  to  be  mortal, 
he  said  to  his  followers,  "  I  now  advise  you  to  prepare  for  your  departure  as  soon 
as  possible,  but  me  ye  shall  bring  to  the  promontory  where  I  thought  it  good  to 
dwell ;  it  may  be  that  it  was  a  prophetic  word  which  fell  from  my  mouth  about 
my  abiding  there  for  a  season  ;  there  shall  ye  bury  me,  and  plant  a  cross  at  my 
head  and  also  at  my  feet,  and  call  the  place  Krossaiies  (Crossness)  in  all  time 
coming."  He  died,  and  they  buried  him  as  he  had  directed.  (Krossanes  is,  in 
all  probability,  Gurnet  Point.)  After  this  they  rejoined  their  companions  at 
Leifsbooths,  where  they  spent  the  winter  ;  but  in  the  spring  of  1005  set  sail  for 
Greenland  to  communicate  to  Leif  the  fate  of  his  brother. 

When  the  circumstance  of  the  death  and  burial  of  Thorwald  was  made  known 
in  Greenland,  Thorstein,  Eric's  third  son,  determined  on  making  a  voyage  to 
Vineland  to  fetch  his  brother's  body.  He  equipped  the  same  ship,  and  was  ac- 
companied by  his  wife  Gudrida  :  but  his  design  was  frus  trated  ;  for,  after  having 
been  tossed  about  and  driven  they  knew  not  whither  during  the  whole  summer, 
they  la:.ded  in  the  western  settlements  of  Greenland,  where  Thorstein  shortly 
after  died.     In  the  spring  Gudrida  returned  to  Ericsford 

This  unsuccessful  expedition  was  soon  after  followed  by  another,  on  a  larger 
scale  than  any  of  the  preceding  ones  ;  for  it  happened  that,  in  the  summer  of 
1006,  two  ships  arrived  from  Iceland,  the  one  commanded  by  Thorfinn  Kailsefne, 
a  wealthy  and  powerful  man,  of  illustrious  birth ;  the  other  by  Biarne  Grimolfson. 
Thorfinn  was  accompanied  by  Snorre  Thorbradson,  and  Biarne  by  Thorhall 
Gamlason.  At  this  time  a  festival  was  held  at  Brattalid,  on  which  occasion  the 
Vineland  voyage  was  the  leading  topic  of  conversation,  and  Thorfinn,  being  cap- 
tivated by  Gudrida,  asked  and  obtained  the  consent  of  her  brother-in-law,  Leif, 
to  their  union,  which  took  place  in  the  course  of  the  winter.  On  the  celebration 
of  these  nuptials  the  Vineland  voyage  was  again  the  subject  of  discussion,  and 
Karlsefne  was  prevailed  on,  by  his  wife  Gudrida  and  others,  to  prosecute  a  voy- 
age thither  and  plant  a  colony.  Accordingly  three  ships  were  fitted  out,  and  all 
kinds  of  live  stock  taken  on  board.  The  first  ship  was  commanded  by  Thorfinn 
Karlsefne  and  Snorre  Thorbradson,  the  second  by  Biarne  Grimolfson  and  Thor- 
hall Gamlason,  and  the  third  by  Thorward,  who  had  married  Frcydisa,  the  nat- 
ural daughter  of  Eric  the  Red.  They  mustered  one  hundred  and  sixty  men,  and, 
being  furnished  with  what  was  necessary  for  the  occasion,  departed  in  the 
spring  of  1007.  After  touching  at  Helluland  and  Markland,  they  en  me  to  Kial- 
arnes  (the  Nauiet  of  the  Indians),  where  the  trackless  deserts,  long  beaches, 
and  sands,  so  much  e.xcited  their  wonder,  that  they  called  them  Furdustrandir 
(Wonder  strands).  They  passed  these,  and  came  to  a  firth  which  ran  far  into 
the  country,  and  wnich  they  called  Straumficirdr  (Stream  firth).  On  the  shore 
of  this  firth  they  landed  :  the  country  was  beautiful,  and  they  made  preparations 
for  a  winter  residence  ;  but  Thorhall  wished  to  go  in  quest  of  Vineland  in  a 
north  direction.  Karlsefne,  however,  decided  on  going  to  the  southwest.  Thor 
hall,  therefore,  with  eight  men,  quitted  them,  and  was  driven  by  westerly  gales 
to  the  coast  of  Ireland,  where,  according  to  some  accounts,  they  were  taken  and 
made  slaves.     Karlsefne  and  those  that  remained  with  him,  in  all  one  hundred 


..♦ll;.;.   _>i;>,*vJI 


I 


14 


THE    PICTOKIAL    HISTOKY 


and  fifiy-oue  men,  sailed  in  a  southerly  direction  till  they  entered  a  rivrr  wtiicn 
fell  into  the  sea  from  a  lake.  They  steered  into  this  lake,  and  called  the  placp 
Hop,  which,  in  Icelandic,  signifies  a  bay,  or  the  land  bordering  on  such  a  bay 
Here  they  landed,  and  found  wheat  growing  wild  on  the  low  grounds,  and  on 
the  rising  lands  grape-vines.  To  this  place  Mount  Hope's  bay  corresponds ; 
and  it  was  at  this  Hop  that  Leifsbooths  were  situated.  Above  this,  and  most 
probably  on  the  beautifully-situated  elevation  afterward  called  by  the  Indians 
Mont  Haup,  Karlsefne  and  his  companions  erected  their  dwellings  and  passed 
the  winter.  They  had  no  snow,  and  the  cattle  fed  in  the  open  fields.  One 
morr.ing,  in  the  beginning  of  1008,  they  perceived  a  number  of  canoes  coming 
from  the  southwest  past  the  cape.  Karlsefne  exhibited  friendly  signals  by  hold- 
ing up  a  wnite  shield,  and  the  natives,  a  sallow-colored  and  ill-looking  race, 
drew  nigh,  and  commenced  bartering  furs  and  squirrel-skins  for  pieces  of  red 
cloth,  and  afterward  for  milk-soup. 

While  this  traffic  was  proceeding,  a  bull,  which  Thorfinn  had  brought  with 
him,  came  out  of  the  wood  and  bellowed  loudly.  This  terrified  the  Skrellings  ; 
they  rushed  to  their  canoes,  and  rowed  away.  About  this  time  Gudrida  gave 
birth  to  a  son,  who  received  the  name  of  Snorre.  At  the  commencement  of  the 
following  winter  the  Skrellings  appeared  again  in  much  greater  numbers,  and 
menaced  hostility  by  loud  yellings.  They  advanced — a  battle  look  place  ;  the 
Skrellings  had  war-slings,  and  a  galling  discharge  of  missiles  fell  upon  the  land ; 
one,  enormously  large,  fell  with  a  crash  that  filled  the  Northmen  with  dismay, 
and  they  fled  into  the  woods.  Freydisa,  the  wife  of  Thorward,  a  bold  and  art- 
t>i.  "voman,  upon  perceiving  the  retreat  of  her  countrymen,  called  to  them,  and 
rep.  On  •.">''  them  with  their  cowardice,  saying,  if  she  had  a  weapon  she  would 
defend  net.- ""  ''«»tter  than  any  of  them.  She  followed  them  into  the  wood, 
where  she  saw  .ik  '"ad  body  of  Snorre  Thorbradson  ;  a  flat  stone  was  sticking 
in  his  head,  and  his  uiawn  sword  was  lying  by  his  side.  This  she  seized,  and 
by  her  frantic  gestures  so  terrified  the  Skrellings,  that  they  in  turn  fled  to  their 
canoes  and  rowed  away.  Thorfinn  and  his  people  now  rallied  ;  they  came  up 
to  her  and  praised  her  courage  ;  but  they  became  convinced  that  they  could  not 
continue  in  the  country  without  being  in  constant  alarm  from  the  powerful  hos- 
tility of  the  natives,  and  therefore  determined  upon  returning  to  their  own  coun- 
try. They  freighted  their  ships,  sailed  eastward,  and  came  to  Straumfiord,  where 
they  passed  the  third  winter  ;  Karlsefne's  son  Snorre  being  then  three  years  old. 

At  Markland  they  met  with  five  Skrellings,  two  of  which  (boys)  they  caught 
and  carried  away  with  them.  These  children,  after  they  had  been  taught  the 
Norse  language,  informed  them  that  the  Skrellings  were  ruled  by  chieftains 
(kings),  that  there  were  no  houses  in  the  country,  but  that  the  people  dwelled 
in  holes  and  caves.  Karlsefne,  after  having  gone  in  quest  of  Thorhall,  pursued 
his  voyage  to  Greenland,  and  arrived  at  Ericsfiord  in  1011. 

The  next  voyage  was  undertaken  at  the  instigation  of  Freydisa,  who  prevailed 
on  two  brothers,  commanders  of  a  ship  from  Iceland,  to  make  a  voyage  to  Vine- 
land,  and  share  equally  with  her  in  all  the  profits.  To  this  the  brothers,  Helge 
and  Finnboge,  assented,  and  a  mutual  agreement  was  entered  into  that  each 
party  should  have  thirty-five  able-bodied  men  on  board  their  ship  ;  but  Freydisa 
concealed  five  additional  men,  whom  she  took  with  her.  They  reached  Leifs- 
booths in  1012,  where  they  remained  during  the  winter.  But  the  deceitful  con- 
duct of  Freydisa  caused  an  estrangement  between  the  parties,  and  she  at  length 
succeeded,  by  subtlety  and  artifice,  in  persuading  her  husband  to  effect  the  mur- 
der of  the  two  brothers  and  their  followers.  After  this  atrocious  act  they  return- 
ed to  Greenland  in  the  spring  of  1013. 

At  this  time  Thorfinn  Karlsefne  was  waiting  for  a  fair  wind  to  sail  for  Nor- 
way.    His  ship  was  laden  with  a  more  valuable  cargo  than  was  ever  befort 


I;'' ! 


;-  "V.  to-siV-o^,:"'  .'■,-._* -y»-~T^>*v.y!-..' 


<i(-«»E»i^5liiit«aiiiS«iii(^ft,SSto,. ; 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


'.d 


a  rivrr  whicB 
lied  the  plac** 
1  such  a  bay 
mnds,  and  on 

corresponds ; 
his,  and  most 
'  the  Indians 
s  and  passed 

fields.  One 
moes  coining 
^lals  by  hold- 
looking  race, 
pieces  of  red 

brought  with 
le  Skrellings ; 
Gudrida  gave 
cement  of  the 
numbers,  and 
)k  place ;  the 
ipon  the  land ; 
with  dismay, 
bold  and  art- 
to  them,  and 
ton  she  would 
to  the  wood, 
I  was  sticking 
le  seized,  and 
n  fled  to  their 
they  came  up 
;hey  could  not 
powerful  hos- 
eir  own  coun- 
imfiord,  where 
»ree  years  old. 
i)  they  caught 
en  taught  the 
by  chieftains 
3opIe  dwelled 
rhall,  pursued 

who  prevailed 
)yage  to  Vine- 
'others,  Helge 
nto  that  each 
;  but  Freydisa 
eached  Leifs- 
deceitful  con- 
I  she  at  length 
siTect  the  mur- 
ct  they  reiurn- 

>  sail  for  Nor- 
s  ev«r  befort 


gnown  to  leave  Greenland.  When  the  wind  was  favorable,  lie  sailed  to  x^or- 
way,  and  sold  his  goods.  The  next  year  he  proceeded  to  Iceland,  and  in  the 
yeur  following,  1015,  purchased  the  Glaumboe  estate,  where  he  resided  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  Snorre,  his  American-born  son,  also  dwelled  and 
ended  his  days  there. 

Among  the  numerous  and  illustrious  descendants  of  Karlsefiie  was  tiie  learned 
bishop  Thorlak  Runolfson,  born  in  1085,  of  Snorre's  daughter  Halfrida,  who  was 
probably  the  original  compiler  of  the  account  of  the  foregoing  voyages.  After 
these,  many  voyages  were  undertaken,  and  the  last  piece  of  information  preserv  ed 
in  the  ancient  MSS.  relates  to  a  voyage,  in  the  year  1347,  from  Greenland  to 
Markland,  undertaken  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  home  limber  and  other  sup- 
plies. Ori  her  voyage  homeward  the  ship  was  driven  out  of  her  course,  and 
arrived,  with  loss  of  anchors,  at  Straumfiord,  in  the  west  of  Iceland.  From  the 
accounts  of  this  voyage,  written  by  a  contemporary  nine  years  after  the  event, 
it  appears  that  the  intercourse  between  Greenland  and  America  Proper  had 
been  maintained  to  so  late  a  date  as  1347  ;  for  it  is  e.xpressly  stated  that  the 
ship  went  to  Markland,  which  must  have  been  thus  mentioned  as  a  country  still 
known  and  visited  in  those  days. 

Thus  it  appears  that,  during  the  tenth  and  eleventh  centuries,  the  ancient 
Northmen  discovered  a  great  extent  of  the  eastern  coasts  of  North  America,  and 
made  frequent  visits  to  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island ;  and  that,  during  the 
centuries  immediately  following,  the  intercourse  was  never  entirely  broken  ofl". 
As  confirmatory  of  these  statements.  Dr.  J  V.  C.  Smith,  of  Boston,  has  writ- 
ten an  account  of  a  remarkable  rough  stone  cemetery,  discovered  about  fifty 
years  ago  in  Rainsford  island,  in  the  bay  of  Boston,  whicli  contained  a  sktaeton 
and  a  sword-hilt  of  iron.  Dr.  Smith  argues  that,  as  the  body  could  not  have 
been  that  of  a  native  Indian  nor  of  a  settler  po.sterior  to  the  re-discovery,  it  was 
most  probably  that  of  one  of  the  early  Scandinavians.  Dr.  Webb,  of  Providence, 
has  also  furnished  an  account  of  a  skeleton  found  at  Fall  river  Massachusetts,  on 
jr  near  which  were  a  bronze  breast-plate,  bronze  tubes  belonging  to  a  belt,  &c., 
none  of  which  appear  to  be  of  Indian  or  of  a  comparatively  modern  European 
manufacture. 


fM.  S.— Skeleton  and  Arrow-heada  found  at  Fall  River 

\  Runic  inscription  is  also  still  to  be  seen  on  Dighion  rock,  on  the  east  mde 

I  Taunton  river,  which  is  exposed  and  covered  at  every  ebb  and  flow  of  the  tide- 

At  Newport,  Rhode  Island  there  is  a  stone  tow«r  '^iU  of  rough  pieces  of 


THE  PICTOIU.M,  HISTORY 


Fig.  4.— Runic  Inscription  on  Dighton  Rock. 


Fio.  5.— Old  Stone  Tower,  At  Newport,  H.  I. 


._J 


» .^jJ^-^M^V'-l^-l-^-A'PT 


iruT'^i'Ai*i»^'t^i:^ui't^*iti^-t^iri-ff»=nU^r<'^£^  ■i^^i^lS'*^^ 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


n 


greywacke  stone,  laid  in  courses,  strongly  cenu'iitcil  by  a  mortar  of  sand  and 
gravel  of  excellent  quality,  which  nearly  e(|uala  the  stone  itself  in  hardness.  It 
appears  to  have  been  at  some  former  period  covered  with  a  stucco  of  sitnilai 
character  to  the  cement  with  which  the  stone  is  held  to<T(!lher.  It  is  n>:arly 
twenty-fi»  e  feet  in  height ;  its  diameter  outs  de  is  twenty-three  feet,  and  inside 
eighteen  feet  nine  inches.  It  is  circular,  am!  is  supported  upon  eight  arches 
resting  on  thick  columns  about  ten  feet  high  ;  the  height  of  the  centres  of  the 
arches  from  the  ground  is  twelve  feet  six  inches.  The  foundation  extends  to 
the  depth  of  four  or  live  feet. 

The  columns  are  peculiar,  having  only  half  capitals,  which  sceni  «  .ave  been 
simply  rounded  slabs  of  stone,  of  which  the  part  projecting  on  the  inside  had 
bfen  cut  away.  According  to  Professor  lidi'u,  the  architecture  of  this  building 
is  in  the  ante-Gothic  style,  which  was  couuuon  in  the  north  and  west  of  Europe 
Vom  the  eighth  to  the  twelfth  centuries.  'I'lie  circular  form,  the  low  colimins, 
their  thickness  in  proportion  to  their  distance  from  each  other,  and  the  entire 
want  of  ornament,  all  point  out  this  e[)och.  He  imagines  it  was  used  for  a  bap- 
tistery, and  accounts  for  the  absence  of  buildings  of  a  similar  character  by  the 
abundance  of  wood  in  America. 

II.  From  the  time  of  the  Northtuen  nothin<;  seems  to  have  keen  known  of  th* 
weitern  continent  till  the  birth  of  (JhrisUtphtr  Columbus. 


Fis,  6. — Christopher  Columbus. 

Tne  tenitory  ot  Genoa  had  the  honor  of  giving  birth  to  him,  and  the  trave'.le* 
.n  Italy  is  still  gratified  by  beholding  at  the  little  village  of  Cocoletto,  the  humble 
tnanfion,  where,  in  a  narrow  room  in  the  rear,  looking  out  upon  the  deep  blue 
Mediterranean,  and  over  which  the  troubled  sea  often  throws  its  spray,  Chrisio 
pher  Columbus,  called  by  the  Spaniards  Colon,  first  saw  the  light.  He  appears 
(?  have  had  an  early  attachm<)nt  S)  sea  atlairs  ;  he  studied  navigation  mth  the 


ne^fiiiSia^^mfSg^.... 


18 


THE    HCTORIAL   HISTORY 


utmost  iii.luMiry,  and  supported  himself  by  making  charts  for  the  8..u-»'«xviLe 
Ho  h.iJ  the  universal  cliaracter  of  a  soher,  temperate,  and  devout  man ;  he  wa« 
a  good  mathematician,  and  had,  in  other  respects,  a  tolerable  share  of  leariiins; 

The  fame  of  the  PortUi;uese  in  naval  aflairs  having  drawn  him  to  Lisbon,  he 
there  settled,  carried  on  a  trade  to  the  coast  of  Guinea,  and  at  lengfli  married  a 
woman  of  considerable  fortime. 

The  reasons  whieh,  probably,  determined  Columbus  to  attempt  the  discovery 
of  America,  were  the  following :  he  had  observed,  when  at  the  Cape  de  Verd 
slands,  that  at  a  partieidar  season,  the  wind  always  blew  from  the  west,  which 
he  thought  was  occasioned  by  a  large  tract  of  land  lying  that  way ;  aiul  he 
thought  that  the  spherical  figure  of  the  earth  demanded,  that  the  land  on  the 
one  side  shoulil  be  balanced  by  an  eipial  quantity  on  the  other. 

He  flattered  himself  that  by  sailing  west,  he  "should  find  a  nearer  passage  to 
the  Indies,  than  that  which  the  Portuguese  hoped  to  discover,  by  sailing  round 
the  coast  of  Africa,  of  a  great  part  of  which  they  had  already  made  themselves 
masters.  When  he  was  fully  convinced  of  the  possibility  of  carrying  his  scheme 
into  execution,  he  proposed  it  to  the  state  of  Genoa  as  early  as  the  year  1484 ; 
out  they  having  rejected  it,  he  applied  in  the  year  1485  to  John  the  Second 
king  of  Portugal,  in  whose  dominions  he  had  now  resided  some  years,  and  com 
missioners  were  appointed  to  treat  with  him  ;  who,  having  arifidly  drawn  his 
secret  from  him,  advised  the  king  to  fit  out  a  ship  to  try  the  practicability  of  the 
plan,  and  to  rob  Cohunbus  of  the  honor  and  advantage  of  it;  but  the  design  fail 
ed ;  and  when  the  king  would  have  treated  with  Columbus  a  second  time,  his 
indignation  at  the  treatment  he  had  received,  determined  him  to  apply  elsewhere  , 
and  that  very  year  he  sent  his  brother  Bartholomew  with  proposals  to  Henry 
VH.,  king  of  England,  while  he  himself  proceeded  to  Spain,  to  offer  his  servi- 
ces to  Ferdinand  and  Isabella. 

Bartholomew  had  the  misfortune  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  pirates,  who,  strip- 
ping him  of  all  he  had,  he  arrived  in  England  in  a  very  miserable  condition 
where  he  was  taken  ill  of  a  fever,  and  reduced  to  great  distress.  On  his  recov- 
eiy,  he  applied  himself  with  great  industry  to  the  making  and  selling  of  map* 
and  charts,  by  which  he  at  length,  in  the  year  1488,  put  himself  into  a  propei 
equipage  •?  appear  belore  the  king  (Henry  VII  ),  with  whom  he  entered  into  ah 
agreement,  in  the  name  and  on  the  behalf  of  his  brother. 

When  Christopher  Columbus  arrived  in  Spain,  he  communicated  his  plan  to 
Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon,  a  celebrated  pilot,  who  saw  the  force  of  his  arguments, 
and  readily  agreed  to  go  with  him,  if  his  application  at  court  should  be  success- 
ful ;  but  so  much  difficulty  attended  the  prosecution  of  his  suit,  and  he  met  with 
so  many  delays  and  insults,  that  he  was  actually  on  the  point  of  leaving  Spain 
for  England,  to  see  what  success  his  brother  had  met  with,  and  in  case  his  ap- 
plications had  been  equally  fruitless,  to  offer  his  proposals  to  the  court  of  France 

At  this  interval  Que°n  Isal)ella  was  prevailed  upon  to  encourage  his  plan  ; 
and  articles  of  agreement  were  signed  at  Santa  Fe,  in  the  kingdom  of  Grenada, 
on  the  seventeenth  of  April,  1492. 

By  this  agreement,  Columbus  was  to  be  admiral  of  the  seas,  and  viceroy  of 
all  the  countries  he  should  discover  :  he  was  to  have  a  tenth  part  of  the  profits 
redounding  to  their  majesties  from  his  labors  ;  and  an  eighth  of  what  he  should 
bring  home  in  his  ships  ;  himself  furnishing  one  eighth  of  the  expense  of  the 
equipment. 

When  (his  agreement  was  concluded,  he  was  allowed  three  vessels  ;  the 
Galega,  which  he  named  the  Santa  Maria,  a  carrac,  or  ship  with  a  deck,  com- 
manded by  himself ;  the  Pinta,  of  which  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon  was  captain ; 
and  the  Nina,  under  the  command  of  Vincent  Yanez  Pinzon,  brother  to  Martin 
Alonzo.  who  furnished  half  of  Columbus's  share  of  the  expense.     These  two 


■.-^-i,'=. ,  -*riP.iiAii&ire  wcdA',£*t«Oo»  .iJir3i\«s;&)4S(gacit!"'': 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLU'IION. 


lb 


I  man  ;  Im  waj 
re  of  leariiiiii; 
n  to  Lisbon,  h« 
ngfti  married  a 

t  the  (li8co\  ery 
Cape  de  Verd 

lie  west,  which 
way ;  ami   he 

e  land  on  the 

irer  passage  to 
\f  sailing  round 
ide  themselves 
ring  his  scheme 
he  year  1 484  ; 
n  the  Second 
y^ears,  and  com 
dly  drawn  his 
ticability  of  the 
the  design  fail 
scond  time,  his 
ply  elsewhere  , 
)sals  to  Henry 
offer  his  servi- 

tes,  who,  strip- 
'able  condition 
On  his  recov- 
selling  of  map» 
f  into  a  propei 
entered  into  ah 

Ued  his  plan  to 
his  arguments, 
uld  be  success- 
nd  he  met  with 
'  leaving  Spain 
in  case  his  ap- 
:ourt  of  France 
rage  his  plan  ; 
)m  of  Grenada, 

and  viceroy  of 
Tt  of  the  proiitfl 
what  he  should 
expense  of  the 

!e  vessels  ;  the 
h  a  deck,  com- 
1  was  captain ; 
other  to  Martin 
«.     These  two 


resbels  were  called  caravels,  that  is,  ships  without  decks  ;  and  the  whole  Heot, 
which  carried  l)ut  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  pu«  to  sea  from  Palos.  on  Fri- 
day the  third  day  of  August,  1492. 

On  the  next  morning  the  rudder  of  the  Pinta  breaking  loose,  they  made  it  fast 
in  the  best  manner  they  were  able  with  cords,  till  they  had  an  qpportunity  efTec- 
tually  to  repair  it.  Several  of  the  seamen  began  to  consider  this  as  an  ill  omen  ; 
but  the  admiral  told  them  that  "  no  omen  could  be  evil  to  those  whose  designs 
were  good." 

They  arrived  at  the  Canaries  on  the  eleventh  of  August,  where  they  remained, 
refreshing  themselves,  till  the  sixth  of  September  ;  when  they  weighed  anchor, 
and  proceeded  on  their  voyage,  for  fear  of  the  Portuguese,  who  had  fitted  out 
three  caravels  to  attack  them. 

On  the  seventh  tl:  3y  lost  sight  of  land,  and  with  it  all  their  courage,  bitterly 
bemoaning  their  fate,  as  that  of  wretches  destined  to  certain  dc.truction.  Colum 
bus  comforted  these  cowards  in  the  best  manner  he  was  able ;  setting  before 
them  the  certain  prospect  of  wealth  and  happiness,  as  the  reward  of  their  labors  ; 
and  that  they  might  not  think  themselves  so  far  from  home,  as  they  really  were, 
he  resol"ed,  during  the  whole  voyage,  to  deceive  them  in  the  reckoning ;  and 
having  this  day  sailed  eighteen  leagues,  he  pretended  they  had  made  no  moro 
than  fifteen. 

On  the  fourteenth  of  September,  they  took  notice  of  the  variation  of  the  com- 
pass, and  the  people  on  board  the  Nina  saw  a  heron,  and  some  tropic  birds,  and 
the  next  day  the  sea  was  covered  with  yellow  and  green  weeds,  among  whicik 
they  saw  a  live  lobster ,-  and  as  they  advanced  they  found  the  sea-water  less 
salt,  from  which  circumstances  they  imagined  they  were  near  land. 

Alonzo  Pinzon,  who  had  been  ahead,  lay  by  for  the  captain  on  the  eighteenth, 
acquainting  him  that  he  had  seen  a  large  number  of  birds  flying  westward,  and 
imagined  he  saw  land  fifteen  leagues  to  the  north  ;  but  Columbus,  having  no 
doubt  but  he  was  mistaken,  would  not  alter  his  course,  though  most  earnestly 
solicited  *-  to  do  by  the  sailors. 

On  the  I  meteenth,  the  sight  of  a  great  number  of  sea-gulls,  which  it  was  im- 
agined could  not  fly  far,  began  to  give  the  admiral  himself  some  hopes  of  seeing 
land  speedily ;  but  on  sounding  with  a  line  of  two  hundred  fathoms,  no  bottom 
could  be  found.  They  now  saw  abundance  of  weeds,  and  three  days  afterward 
took  a  bird  like  a  heron,  web-footed,  of  a  dark  color,  with  a  white  tuft  on  the 
head  ;  and  in  the  evening,  saw  three  small  singing-birds,  which  flew  away  at 
break  of  day. 

They  now  encountered  such  a  quantity  of  weeds,  that  they  were  apprehensive 
the  ships  would  not  long  be  able  to  make  their  way.  Till  this  time  the  wind 
had  been  always  right  astern  ;  but  now  shifting  to  the  southwest,  gave  the  ad- 
mir  '  an  opportunity  of  exposing  the  groundless  fears  of  the  sailors,  who  had 
imagined  they  should  never  have  a  fair  wind  to  carry  them  back  ;  but  notwith- 
standing all  he  could  say  to  them,  they  loudly  complained  of  the  danger  they 
were  in  of  perishing  at  sea.  and  a  mutiny  would,  in  all  probability,  have  been  the 
consequence  of  their  clamors,  but  for  a  strong  gale,  which  sprung  up  at  west- 
northwest,  and  convinced  ihem  that  there  was  no  danger  of  their  having  no  op« 
portunity  to  return. 

Several  flights  of  small  birds,  which  they  observed  coming  from  the  west  and 
a  pigeon,  which  flew  over  the  ship,  gave  them  fresh  hopes  of  making  ^and  ;  but 
when  they  found  themselves  disappointed,  their  mortification  was  the  greater, 
snd  their  complaints  increased. 

They  censured  the  admiral  as  a  person,  who,  from  an  idle  ambition  of  agqrau 
lizing  himself,  and  his  own  family,  had  led  them  into  dangers  and  diflicUtie^ 
in  search  of  a  country  which  now  here  existed  ;  tt^ey  said  they  had  given  kuffi 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORy 


••''<»■  7.— Mutiny  on  board  the  Santa  Maria. 


cient  proofs  of  their  courage,  by  venturing  so  far  from  home,  and  began  to  *t«- 
tertaiii  serious  thoughts  of  compelling  Columbus  to  return.  In  a  word,  so  great 
were  their  fears,  that  some  of  them  were  for  throwing  the  admiral  overboard, 
and  asserting,  on  their  return  to  Spain,  that  he  fell  into  the  sea,  as  he  was  gasinjj 
at  the  stars. 

Columbus  was  not  insensible  of  the  spirit  of  mutiny,  by  which  they  were  ac- 
tuated, and  exerted  himself,  partly  by  representing  their  duty  to  the  king,  partly 
by  threats  of  punishment  in  case  of  disobt  ilience,  and  partly  by  promises  of  the 
reward  of  their  perseverance  ;  so  that  the  enterprise  received  no  detriment  from 
their  ill-grounded  fears  and  apprehensions. 

The  men  were,  however,  extremely  anxious  and  disconsolate,  till  on  the 
twenty-fifth  of  September,  about  sunselting,  while  Columbus  was  talking  to  Vin- 
cent Yanez  Pinzon,  he  cried,  '•  Land  !  Land !  Let  me  not  lose  the  reward  fot 
this  good  news  !"  and  immediately  pointed  toward  the  southwest,  where  there 
was  something  which  looked  like  an  island,  at  the  distance  of  twenty-five  leagut-s 

This,  which  was  afterward  looked  on  as  a  contrivance  between  Columbus  and 
Pinzon,  so  animated  the  men,  that  they  returned  thanks  to  God  with  the  utmimi 
fervency,  and  the  admiral,  at  the  earnest  entreaty  of  the  crew,  steered  toward 
the  supposed  island  most  part  of  the  night ;  but  in  the  mominj'  ■}<}  isla-id  Y.aa  «• 
be  seen,  and  the  men  were  as  loud  in  t)  lir  complaints  as  ever. 

Columbus  continued  on  his  course  with  the  utmost  resoh'  ,c'\ ,  in  i  o^  tor 
twenty-ninth  they  saw  many  fl)ring  fishes,  some  of  which  .    .   ;  (j  the  sh  i 
They  also  saw  a  gull,  several  wagtails,  and  other  birds,  and  were  encompass. .. 
•rith  so  great  a  quantity  of  weeds,  that  the  men  thought  they  were  near  lami 
*n''  in  uvn^er  of  running  aground. 


h' 


■.■*3.'^7-:..;:?^',>i3„1S^  ':. 


•  .'Jlfciid^^AstftKiSH^i ;   ,-i*t?«*lg*fet^44Tifcilfe»^* •-':.f^^tyi^:f^»itt^»^^i*m^^nv^.^issi0^'^ Wctti»^««r.- , 


1  began  to  m- 

word,  80  great 

liral  overboard, 

)  he  was  gasing 

they  were  ac- 
he king,  partly 
ironiises  of  the 
detriment  from 

ite,  till  on  the 
talking  to  Vin- 
the  reward  for 
t,  where  th«re 
ty-five  leagut-s 
Columbus  Eiiii 
^ith  the  utmost 
iteerad  toward 
)  isla-^d  ^'48  '<• 


•111  1   ;; 
u>  the 


.    tor 

sh  i 
s  encompasa*-*: 
3re  near  laiul 


>«:^,-.. 


OF  the;  AMhRlC.W  REVOLUTION.  9i 

On  the  ihtrtipih  tlicy  also  saw  many  wagtails,  and  observed  that  the  weed* 
lay  in  a  line  from  w<Mt-iiorlli'v«"sf,  to  <  ast-southeast. 

At  break  of  day,  on  tlu'  first  of  0»  uJicr,  a  wagtail  came  on  hoard  the  admiral 
anfl  that  day  tlio  pilot  told  the  adiniral,  ili.it  they  were  five  handred  and  seventy 
e:        leagues  west  of  the  island  of  Ferro  ;  but  by  Columbus's  account  they  weie 
•even  hundred  and  sevtsn  ;  but  he  i<>nk  i  o  notice  ot  tbr  ■  rror,  bp"ause  he  would 
not  discourage  the  sailors. 

On  the  second  they  killed  a  tunny  tish,  and  so  'o  birds;  >i»i  seeing  no  birds 
on  the  tliird  day,  they  feared  they  hii  '  missed  some  islands,  :»nd  the  men  begged 
the  admiral  to  steer  either  to  the  right  or  left ;  but  regardless  ,/ their  entreaties, 
he  resolved  to  keep  right  on  his  course,  that  the  credit  of  his  und(  •  •'^ing  might 
not  suffer  by  an  idle  compliance  with  their  demands. 

Hereupon  the  men  began  to  mutiny,  and  would  probabi-  '>ave  taken  some  des- 
perate measures,  had  not  the  Hight  of  upward  of  forty  span  i,  and  oi  (>r  birds, 
from  the  vest,  again  given  them  hopes  that  they  were  near  md.  Sonie  signs 
of  1  in  '  ai>peared  to  the  westward  on  the  seventh  of  October,  I  '  the  weather  be- 
iTip  I  izy,  "^  one  would  venture  to  cry  land. 

An  ...I  Illy  often  thousand  marvadies,  or  thirty  crowns,  for  ufe,  had  been  ol 
fered  by  t)/>ir  catholic  majesties  to  the  person  who  should  first  discover  land; 
!)i  :  'f  any  one  cried  out  land,  and  it  did  not  prove  to  be  so,  he  was  I  <  be  exeiu- 
de  1  from  the  reward,  even  though  he  should  afterward  discover  ii  But  the 
people  of  the  Nina,  which  was  generally  ahead,  fired  a  gun,  and  hois  od  colors, 
concluding  it  was  certainly  land  ;  but  as  they  sailed  farther  they  were  soon  un- 
ueceived. 

Next  day  they  saw  many  birds,  both  large  and  small,  among  which  w«^r 
land-fowl,  flying  from  the  west  to  the  southwest,  and  Columbus,  thinkin 
ould  not  fly  far,  imitated  the  Portuguese,  who,  by  following  such  flig 
fds,  had  discovered  several  islands  ;  he  therefore  changed  his  courst  and 
stood  for  the  west ;  and  having  already  sailed  seven  hundred  and  twer  ♦y  lea  lies 
to  the  westward  of  the  Canaries,  imagined  he  should  soon  find  land  ;  and  he  md 
jften  told  the  sailors  to  expect  it  at  that  distance. 

They  saw  twelve  singing-birds,  and  many  ducks,  gulls,  and  jays,  on  theeig.  h 
of  October;  and  on  the  eleventh,  when  all  the  admiral's  skill  and  address  wol  d 
have  been  insufficient  to  withstand  much  longer  the  mutinous  disposition  of  th-^ 
crew,  he  was  comforted  with  indubitable  proofs  of  their  being  near  land  ;  for  oi ; 
this  day  they  saw  a  green  rush,  and  a  large  rock-fish  swim  near  the  admiral's 
ship  ;  and  those  on  board  the  Pinta  took  up  a  staff  most  curiously  wrought,  and 
saw  a  cane  floating,  and  a  number  of  weeds  fresh  torn  from  the  shore. 

On  the  evening  of  this  day  the  admiral  represented  to  his  men,  how  merciful 
God  had  been  to  them,  in  conducting  them  safe  so  long  a  voyage ;  and  said,  that 
since  the  tokens  he  now  saw  were  proofs  they  were  near  land,  he  would  have 
them  watch  all  night,  and  they  would  most  likely  discover  it  before  the  morning  ; 
and  he  promised  to  give  a  velvet  doublet,  as  an  addition  to  their  majesties'  re- 
ward, to  the  person  who  should  make  the  discovery. 

Two  hours  before  midnight,  Columbus  standing  on  the  poop,  saw  a  light  on 
phore,  and  called  (luitierres,  groom  of  the  privy  chamber  to  the  king,  who  also 
saw  it.  It  appeared  like  a  candle,  or  other  light  carried  in  a  person's  hand  from 
.>ne  house  to  anf  :her. 

About  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  land  was  discovered,  at  the  distance  of  tw 
leagues,  by  Roderic  de  Trians,  on  board  the  Pinta,  which  was  considerabl- 
ahead ;  but  the  reward  was  afterward  paid  to  Columbus,  by  order  of  their  catholi' 
majesties,  for  having  first  discovered  the  light. 

The  shin-'  now  lay  too,  and  the  people  waited  with  the  utmost  anxiety  for 
ngbt  ol  tha.  Uad  oi  which  thev  had  been  so  long  in  search  ;  and  at  the  break 


some 
thev 
of 


tiMSMil^"' 


»2 


THE  PICTOKIAL  HI3T0RY 


xi^iiiMieum 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


2i 


a 

I 
3d 


01  (lay  chey  had  the  pleasure  to  behold  an  island  about  fifteen  leagues  in  length 
of  a  flat  surface,  well  covered  with  wood  and  watered,  with  a  large  lake  in  the 
middle  of  it.     It  appeared  to  be  full  of  inhabitants,  who  wailed  on  the  shore 
astonished  at  the  siijht  of  the  ships,  which  they  took  for  prodigious  sea  monsters 

The  uailors  were  extremely  eager  to  be  on  shore ;  and  as  soon  as  the  vessels 
were  brought  to  an  anchor,  the  admiral  went  on  shore,  with  the  royal  colors  fly- 
ing, as  did  the  captains,  carrying  the  colors  of  their  enterprise,  being  a  green 
•iross  with  crowns,  and  the  names  of  their  catholic  majesties. 

They  were  no  sooner  on  shore,  than  they  fell  on  their  knees,  and  kissing  the 
ground,  with  tears  of  joy,  gave  thanks  to  God  for  his  goodness,  when  the  admi- 
ral stood  up,  and  gave  the  island  the  name  of  St.  Salvador,  which  the  natives 
called  Guanihani ;  but  it  is  now  known  by  the  name  of  Cat-island. 

Columbus  having  taken  possession  of  the  island,  for  the  king  and  queen  of 
Spain,  tlie  sailors  acknowledged  his  authority,  begged  pardon  for  their  former 
b-^havior,  and  promised  the  utmost  obedience  for  the  future. 

On  his  return,  when  near  the  coast  of  Portugal,  a  terrible  storm  arose,  and  he 
found  it  expedient  to  anchor  off"  Lisbon,  where  he  was  warmly  solicited  by  the 
king  of  Portugal  to  re-enter  his  service,  but  this  was  declined.  Columbus  again 
made  sail,  and  in  a  few  days  came  to  anchor  in  the  port  of  Palos. 

Columbus  gave  their  majesties  an  account  of  his  voyages  and  discoveries, 
showed  the  Indians  as  they  appeared  in  their  own  country,  and  exhibited  all  the 
curiosities  he  had  brought.  When  he  had  concluded  his  account,  their  majes- 
ties knelt  down,  and  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  returned  thanks  to  God,  and  im- 
mediately the  choristers  of  the  chapel  sung  Te  Deum. 

The  articles  heretofore  concluded  wi.ii  the  admiral  were  only  in  form  of  a 
contract ;  but  as  he  had  performed  what  he  engaged  to  do,  their  majesties  now 
passed  grants,  making  good  what  they  had  before  promised  him. 

When  his  majesty  rode  through  Barcelona,  he  would  make  the  admiral  ride 
by  his  side,  an  honor,  till  then,  peculiar  to  the  princes  of  the  blood.  The  im- 
portance of  his  discoveries  induced  their  majesticT  to  despatch  an  ambassador 
to  Pope  Alexander  VI.,  requesting  his  authority  I'cx-  an  exclusive  title  to  the 
countries  which  had  been,  or  might  be  discovered ;  this  the  pope  readily  com- 
plied with,  drawing  a  line  from  pole  to  pole,  one  hundred  leagues  westward  from 
the  Capo  de  Verd  islands,  granting  to  their  majesties  all  the  dominions  beyond 
that  part  of  the  globe. 

The  son  of  the  poor  wool-comber  of  Genoa  was  Ij-'^jn  vith  every  honor  that 
power  could  bestow.  His  patroness,  Isabella,  received  him  with  open  arms, 
the  very  courts  that  had  denied  him  aid  now  solicited  his  presence,  and  at  the 
tables  of  the  noblest  he  became  an  honored  guest. 

Among  many  others  of  the  grandees  of  Spain,  Pedro  Gonzales  de  Mendoza, 
the  grand  cardinal  of  Spain,  invited  Columbus  to  a  banquet.  He  gave  him  the 
most  honorable  place  at  table,  and,  notwithstanding  etiquette  to  its  fullest  extent 
was  at  that  time  punctiliously  observed,  he  served  him  with  ceremonies  which 
wesa  observed  toward  sovereigns.  It  was  at  that  banquet  that  the  anecdote  of 
the  egg  is  said  to  have  occurred,  which  scene  is  graphically  delineated  in  our 
engraving.  A  courtier  who  was  present,  possessing  more  impudence  than  wit, 
and  jealous  of  Columbus  oecause  he  was  a  foreigner,  and  so  highly  honored  by 
^is  master,  abruptly  asked  him  whether  he  thought  that  in  case  he  had  not  dis- 
covered the  Indies,  there  were  not  other  men  who  would  have  been  capable  of 
the  enterprise?  Columbus,  looking  with  proper  contempt  upon  the  fellow, 
deigned  no  reply,  but  taking  an  egg,  invited  the  company  to  make  it  stand  upon 
one  end.  All  attempted  it,  but  in  vain,  whereupon  he  struck  it  upon  the  tablp 
•0  as  to  break  the  end,  and  left  it  standing  upon  the  broken  part.  This,  in  the 
most  simple  manner,  illustrated  the  fact,  that  when  he  had  once  shown  the  wa) 


.^>■>:l^^'iM^V0i^^^' 


.-'..'s.:>.c».*,f.iSiiSJ,',©!e^ 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


25 


r^-m^di^lt^m-  . 


to  the  new  world,  it  was  a  very  easy  tiling  to  follow.  Tiio  rebuke  was  felt,  and 
the  courtier  held  hia  peace.  "  This  anecdote,"  says  Irving,  '•  rests  on  the  au- 
thority of  the  Italian  historian  Herizoni.  It  has  been  condemned  as  trivial,  but 
the  simplicity  of  the  reproof  constituted  its  severity,  and  was  characteristic  of 
the  practical  sagacity  of  Columbus.  The  universal  popularity  of  the  anecdote  is 
a  proof  of  Its  merit." 

On  the  twenty-fifth  of  September,  1193,  Columbus  sailed  on  his  second  voy. 
age.  m  which  he  discovered  more  of  the  West  India  islands. 

0.1  the  thirteenth  of  May,  1498,  Columbus  commenced  his  third  voyage,  from 
the  bay  of  St.  Lucas,  and  after  seeing  some  new  islands,  on  the  first  of  August 
he  discovered  the  continent,  but  imagining  it  to  be  an  island,  he  termed  it  Isla 
Santa.  From  this  cruise  Columbus  was  brought  back  ii.  chains  to  Cadiz  in  con- 
sequence of  false  charges  made  against  him  by  interested  individuals ;  but  he 
was  soon  restored  to  the  favor  of  his  king  and  master. 

A  new  voyage  was  now  projected,  which  was  commenced  on  the  fourth  of 
May,  1502.  In  this  he  was  very  successful  as  a  discoverer,  but  on  his  return 
home  his  health  failed,  and  he  died  xMay  15,  1506.  His  body  was  taken  to  the 
Carthusian  convent,  and  thence  to  St.  Domingo.  His  bones,  however,  were 
afterward  removed  to  Cuba,  and  are  still  preserved  in  the  cathedral  at  Havana 

In  the  cathedral  of  Seville,  fig.  8,  there  is  a  flat  stone  with  an  inscription, 
rhich,  when  translated,  states, 

To  Castile  and  Leon 
Columbus  gave  a  new  world. 

Such  was  the  end  of  this  great  man,  to  whom  the  Spaniards  are  indebted  (bi 
all  their  American  possessions,  and  who,  from  the  boldness  of  his  undertakings, 
and  the  greatness  of  his  achievements,  may,  in  a  great  degree,  be  considered  as 
the  Father  of  Navigation. 

Columbus  was  in  stature  tall,  his  face  long,  his  aspect  majestic,  his  nose  aqui- 
line, his  eyes  gray,  his  complexion  ruddy  and  clear;  his  beard  and  hair  wore 
fair  in  his  youth,  but  the  many  hardships  he  suflered  soon  turned  them  array. 
He  was  a  man  of  wit  and  pleasantry,  yet  modestly  grave,  and  eloquem  ••  Jis- 
.•ourse.  He  was  afl^able  to  strangers,  and  kind  to  his  .>wn  family  H-  tmd  an 
air  of  authority  and  grandeur  that  commanded  resr^ict ,  he  was  temperate  in 
eating  and  drinking,  and  modest  in  his  dress  H-*  was  strict  in  religion,  accord- 
ing to  the  mode  of  his  country,  and  obliged  those  undet  him  lo  pay,  at  least,  a 
decent  regard  to  it.  He  much  desired  the  ton  version  of  the  Indians,  and  did 
what  he  could  to  allure  them,  by  obliging  the  Spaniards  to  lead  a  life,  in  some 
measure  agreeable  to  the  faith  they  professed  He  was  a  man  of  undaunted 
courage,  and  fond  of  great  enterprises  ;  lie  remained  unmoved  amidst  the  many 
troubles  and  adversities  that  attended  him,  ever  relying  on  the  Divine  Providence. 

This  is  the  account  given  of  the  famous  Columbus,  by  a  Spanish  writer  o/ 
knowledge  and  fidelity,  who  adds,  tha' 

"  His  name  will  be  renowned  as  long  as  the  world  endures." 
in.  Sebastian  Cabot,  who  claims  -vith  Columbus  to  have  been  the  first  dis- 
coverer of  the  continent  of  America,  was  the  son  of  John  (Jabot,  a  Venetian, 
fie  was  born  at  Bristol  in  1477  .  and  vas  taught  by  his  father  arithmetic,  ge- 
ometry, and  cosmography.  Before  in-  -vas  twenty  years  of  age  he  made  several 
voyages.  The  first  of  any  consequencti  seems  to  have  been  made  with  his 
father,  who  had  a  commission  from  Henry  VII.  for  the  discovery  of  a  northwest 
passage  to  India.  They  sailed  iii  'he  spring  of  1497;  and  proceeding  to  the 
northwest,  they  discovered  land  which  for  that  reason  they  called  Primavista, 
PI  Newfoundland.  Another  smaller  island  they  called  St.  John,  from  its  being 
liBcovered  on  the  feast  of  Si    lohn  Baptist ;  after  which,  they  saile  1  ale  af  th« 


i     I 


Via   10.— Tomb  of  Columbus.— Seville  Callindral. 


•  aateJ,-a*,jU».-ia'^UW)afe.>Vw-.&/^ii^saBBfei^fr'^^^  -aiMfti-JiiBaitn^Asfetew^^ii^aiggs; " 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTIOiN. 


Vt 


no.  11. — FortraU  of  Sebastian  Cabot. 

csaat  of  America  ac  Car  as>  Cape  Florida,  and  then  returned  to  England  with  h 
good  cargo,  an.l  three  Indians  aboard.  6towe  and  Speed  ascribe  these  discov< 
eries  who.'Iy  to  Sebastian,  without  mentioning  his  father.  It  is  probable  thai 
Sebastian,  after  hif>  father's  death,  made  several  voyages  to  these  parts,  as  a  map 
of  his  dJsco»eric!'.,  drawn  by  himself,  was  hune  up  in  tho  privy  garden  at  White- 
hall. However,  history  gives  but  little  account  of  his  life  for  near  twenty  years, 
when  he  wont  to  Spain,  where  he  was  made  pilot-major,  and  intrusted  with  re- 
viewing all  projects  for  discoveries,  which  were  then  very  numerous.  His  great 
capacity  ind  approved  integrity  induced  many  eminent  merchants  to  treat  with 
him  about  a  voyago  by  tho  new-found  straits  of  Magellan  to  the  Mciuccas.  He 
diersfore  sailed  in  152.'),  first  to  the  Canaries,  then  to  the  Cape  Verd  islands, 
thence  to  St.  Augustine  and  the  island  of  Patos ;  when  some  of  his  people  be- 
^a'^ing  to  be  mutinous,  and  refusing  to  pass  through  the  straits,  he  laid  aside  the 
design  of  s?.ilirg  to  the  Moluccas,  left  some  of  the  principal  mutineers  up(m  a 
desert  island,  and,  saihng  up  th"  rivers  of  Plate  and  Paraguay,  discovered  and 
buUt  forts  in  a  large  tract  of  fine  country,  that  produced  gold,  silver,  and  other 
rich  cnnmodities.  H.d  thence  deipatched  messengers  to  Spain  for  a  supply  of 
pirviHions,  ammunition,  goods  ibr  trade,  and  a  recruit  of  men  ;  but  his  request 
not  being  readily  complied  with,  after  staying  five  years  in  America,  he  returned 
home,  where  he  met  with  a  cold  reception,  the  merchants  being  displeased  at 
his  not  having  pursued  his  voyage  to  the  Moluccas,  while  his  treciment  of  the 
mutineers  had  given  umbrage  at  court.  Hence  he  returned  to  England ;  and 
being  introduced  to  the  Duke  of  Somerset,  then  lord  protector,  a  new  office  was 
erected  for  him ;  he  was  made  governor  of  the  mystery  and  company  of  the 
merchant  Adventurers  for  the  discovery  of  regions,  dominions,  islands,  and  place* 


38 


THE    P"' 


\ua:.  histvjry 


unknown  .  ?  pwrbion  was  granted  him,  by  letters  patent,  of  jClfio  13,v.  4d.  pe. 
annum,  and  hf  >  h^  consulted  in  all  aff.iirs  relative  to  trade.  In  1522,  by  hih 
interest,  the  our.  .lur-d  out  some  ships  for  the  discovery  of  the  northern  parts 
of  the  world  Thi'*  produced  the  first  voyage  the  English  made  to  Russia,  and 
'.he  beginning  of  that  commerce  which  has  ever  since  been  carried  on  between 
ihe  two  nations.  The  Russia  company  was  now  founded  by  a  charter  graned 
by  [*hilip  and  Mary  ;  and  of  this  company  Sebastian  was  appointed  governor 
for  life  He  is  said  to  be  the  first  who  look  notice  of  the  variation  of  the  needle, 
and  who  published  a  map  of  the  world.  The  exact  time  of  his  death  is  not 
known,  but  he  lived  to  be  above  seventy  years  of  age. 


r 


fio,  IS.— Portrait  of  Americus  Vespuciu*. 

V.  Although  America  was  discovered  by  the  Northmen,  Columbus,    art  tn« 

Cabots,  yet  it  was  reserved  for  Amerigo  Vespucci  to  give  a  name  to  the  soil ; 

that  name  Amkrica,  which  is  already  synonymous  with  liberty  and  independence 

throughout  the  whole  world ;  where  the  genius  of  freedom  finds  her  deareFi 

lace  of  abiding  while  living,  and  which,  if  she  be  ever  conquered  by  the  stroiur 


•■:  l>:tJ.i«iiii3S*l»k'i4c4»<»slBSft<ii(fci3ca»s49'irail^^ 


13.?.  4<l.  pe. 
1522,  by  his 
^rthern  parts 
Kus.sia,  anil 
on  between 
irter  graned 
0(1  governor 
f  the  needle, 
death  is  not 


ibu8,  art  tn« 
to  the  soil ; 
ndependencfl 
her  deareFt 
by  the  stroiur 


30 


the:    I'lCTOKIAL    HISTORY 


"S. 


arm  of  imperial  tyranny  ami  roviil  despotism,  will  be  for  her  a  magnificent  sep 
ulc.l 


iro 


Americus  V^espucins,  or  more  properly  Amerigo  Vespucci,  a  Florentine  gen- 
»lf  inan.  was  born  March  9,  1451,  of  an  ancient  family.  His  father,  who  was  an 
Italian  merchant,  brought  him  up  in  this  business,  and  his  profession  led  him  to 
visit  Spain  and  other  countries.  Being  eminently  skilled  in  all  the  science* 
subservient  to  navigation,  and  possessing  an  enterprising  spirit,  he  became  de- 
sirous of  seeing  the  new  world,  which  Columbus  had  discovered  in  1492.  He 
accordingly  entered  as  a  merchant  on  board  the  small  fleet  of  four  ships,  equip- 
ped by  the  merchants  of  Seville,  and  set  out  under  the  command  of  Ujeda.  The 
enterprise  was  sanctioned  by  a  royal  license. 

He  sailed  May  20,  1499,  under  the  command  of  Ojeda,  and  proceeded  to  the 
Antilles  islands,  and  thence  to  the  coast  of  Guiana  and  Venezuela,  and  returned 
to  Cadiz  in  November,  1500.  After  his  return,  Emanuel,  king  of  Portugal,  who 
was  jealous  of  the  success  and  glory  of  ;3j,<iin,  invited  him  to  his  kingdom,  and 
gave  him  the  command  of  three  ships  to  make  a  third  voyage  of  discovery.  He 
sailed  from  Lisbon,  May  10,  1501,  and  ran  down  the  coasts  of  Africa  as  far  as 
Sierra  Leone  and  the  coast  of  Angola,  and  then  passed  over  to  Brazil  in  South 
America,  and  continued  his  discoveries  to  the  south  as  far  as  Patagonia.  He 
then  returned  to  Sierra  Leone  and  the  coast  of  Guinea,  and  entered  again  the 
port  of  Lisbon,  September  7,  1502. 

King  Emanuel,  highly  gratified  by  his  success,  equipped  for  him  six  ships, 
with  which  he  sailed  on  his  fourth  and  last  voyage.  May  10,  1503.  It  was  his 
object  to  discover  a  western  passage  to  the  Molucca  islands.  He  passed  the 
coasts  of  Africa,  and  entered  the  bay  of  All  Saints  in  Brazil.  Having  pronsion 
for  only  twenty  months,  and  being  detained  on  the  coast  of  Brazil  by  bad  weather 
and  contrary  winr  five  months,  he  formed  the  resolution  of  returning  to  Portugal, 
where  he  arrived  June  14,  1504.  As  he  carried  home  with  him  considerable 
quantities  of  the  Brazil  wood,  and  other  articles  of  value,  he  was  received  with 
joy.  It  was  soon  after  this  period,  that  he  wrote  an  account  uf  his  four  voyages. 
The  work  was  dedicated  to  Rene  H.,  duke  of  Lorraine,  who  took  the  title  of 
the  king  of  Sicily,  and  who  died  December  10,  1508.  It  was  probably  pub- 
lished about  the  year  1507,  for  in  that  year  he  went  from  Lisbon  to  Seville,  and 
King  Ferdinand  appointed  him  to  draw  sea-charts  with  the  title  of  chief  pilot. 
He  died  at  the  island  of  Terceira  in  1514,  aged  about  sixty-three  years,  or  agree- 
ably to  another  account,  at  Seville,  in  1512,  having  published  the  first  book  and 
chart  describing  the  new  world. 

V.  The  Mississippi,  that  broad  and  majestic  river,  as  it  rushes  onward  with 
.esistless  current  to  the  sea,  contains  within  its  deep  bosom  the  abode  of  no  more 
daring  or  gallant  spirit  than  that  which  animated  tl  j  proud  Hernando  de  Soto. 

He  was  born  at  Barcarota  in  1501  ;  his  family  was  respectable,  but  poor,  and 
De  Soto  was  obliged  to  depend  upon  his  bravery  for  his  subsistence.  With  this 
view  he  accompanied  Davila  to  America,  and  distinguished  himself  so  much 
that  he  had  command  given  him  of  a  troop  of  horse,  with  which  he  followed 
Pizarro  (fig.  13)  to  Peru,  and  in  that  severe  battle  which  took  place  bet-v-.-a 
Pizarro  and  Almagro,  (fig.  14),  he  displayed  great  prowess,  and  distin2,u 
himtielf  for  his  valor  and  prudence. 

On  his  return  to  Spain,  he  appeared  at  the  court  of  the  emperor  Charles  V.  in 
magnificent  style,  and  was  attended  by  a  knot  of  brave  cavaliers,  many  of  whom 
liad  been  with  him  in  Peru  ;  he  was  in  the  prime  of  manhood,  about  thirty-six 
years  old,  commanding  in  figure,  and  of  a  dark,  animated,  and  expressive  coun- 
tenance. With  such  advantages  of  person  and  reputation  he  soon  succeeded, in 
gaining  the  affections  and  hand  of  a  lady  of  distinguished  rank  and  merit,  Isabella 
de  Bobadilla,  which  marriage  strengthened  his  influence  a    court      About  thi* 


.-i>,;,4d6i«'sii4tSi?(fe'Mfi-j^!4te.*^^^^^^ 


lificent  lep 

enline  gen- 
vvhu  was  an 
\  1*m1  him  to 
le  Hcience* 
became  de- 

1492.  He 
hips,  etiuip- 
jeda.     The 

;eded  to  the 
nd  returned 
mugal,  who 
ingdom,  and 
every.  He 
ca  as  far  as 
zil  in  South 
igonia.  He 
d  again  the 

n  six  ships, 
It  was  his 

passed  the 
ng  provision 
bad  weather 
[  to  Portugal, 
considerable 
3ceived  with 
our  voyages. 

the  title  of 
robably  pub- 
I  Seville,  and 

chief  pilot, 
irs,  or  agree- 
irst  book  and 

onward  with 
le  of  no  more 
do  de  Soto, 
but  poor,  and 
!.  With  this 
elf  so  much 
he  followed 
ace  befT-'u 
distin^u 

Dharles  V.  in 
lany  of  whom 
Dut  thirty-six 
ressive  coun- 
succeeded, in 
nerit,  Isabella 
About  this 


THE   PICTORIAL   HISTOKV 


Fio.  15.— Portrait  of  Hernando  de  Soto. 

dme  tne  fate  of  Pamphilo  de  Narvaez  and  his  followers,  who  had  gone  on  an 
expedition  to  Florida,  reached  Spain.  The  imagination  of  De  Soto  became  ex- 
cited by  the  narrative  of  this  expedition  ;  his  ambition  was  roused  by  the  desire 
of  rivalling  the  fame  of  Cortez  and  Pizarro,  and  his  reputation,  wealth,  past  ser- 
vices, and  marriage  connexions,  all  gave  him  the  means  of  attaining  his  wishes 
He  therefore  asked  permission  of  the  emperor  to  undertake  the  conquest  of 
Florida  at  his  own  expense  and  risk.  His  prayer  was  granted ;  numerous 
privileges  wern  conferred  upon  him,  and  he  was  created  captain-general  for  life, 
of  Florida  as  well  as  of  Cuba  ;  the  control  of  the  latter  island  being  important 
to  him  in  fitting  out  his  armament  for  the  conquest  of  Florida.  The  news  of 
this  expedition  was  soon  promulgated  throughout  Spain,  and  in  a  little  more  than 
a  year  from  the  time  that  this  enterprise  was  first  proclaimed,  nine  hundred  and 
fifty  Spaniards  of  all  degrees  had  assembled  in  the  port  of  San  Lucar  de  Barrame- 
da,  to  embark  in  the  expedition.  Never  had  a  more  gallant  and  brilliant  body  of 
men  offered  themselves  for  conquest  in  the  new  world.     All   were  younj;  and 


■xt.rti'.ii^jei'ie^^mf&iit^ytkvii^'imi^ffi^!^  »^'eii>«N£f  ^i'fii^'tiifiittiiitiiKiStiiat&^^i 


THE  PICTOHIAI.   MISlUKY 


m 


had  gone  on  an 
Soto  becHme  ex- 
sed  by  the  desire 

wealth,  past  ser* 
iiiing  his  wishes 

the  conquest  of 
anted ;  numerous 
n-general  for  life, 
i  being  important 
I.  The  news  of 
1  a  little  more  than 
nine  hundred  and 
jucar  de  Barrame- 
1  brilliant  body  of 
were  young  and 


nsorous,  and  fitted  for  the  toils,  hurdsliips,  and  d.iniiers,  of  so  iulveiiturous  ait 
uiidertaking.  De  Soto  was  magiiiticent  in  his  ollVrtt  til  pecuniary  a.ssistaiice,  to 
aid  the  cavaliers  in  lilting  themselves  out  according  to  tlieir  rank  and  station. 
Many  were  compelled,  through  necessity,  to  accept  of  these  oilers  ;  others,  who 
liad  means,  g-'iierously  declined  them,  deeming  it  more  proper  that  tliey  should 
assist  than  accept  aid  from  him.  .Many  came  splenditlly  equipped  with  rich 
armor,  cottly  dresses,  and  a  train  of  domestics.  Indeed,  .some  young  men  of 
quality  had  spent  a  groat  part  of  their  property  in  this  manner.  This  brilliant 
armament  embarked  at  San  Lucar  de  iJarrameda,  on  the  si.xth  of  .April,  1538,  in 
seven  large  and  three  small  vessels.  The  governor,  his  wile,  Hignher  with  all 
his  family  and  retinue,  embarked  in  the  largest  vessel,  called  the  .S;in  Chrisioval, 
of  eight  hundred  tons  burden.  They  (piitteil  the  Spanish  shore  in  comiiany  with 
a  fleet  of  twenty-six  sail  bound  to  .Mexico,  amid  the  braying  of  trumpets  and  the 
liiunder  of  artillery.  The  armament  of  De  Soto  was  .so  hounlifully  supplied  with 
naval  stores,  that  each  man  was  alloweil  double  rations.  This  led  to  useless 
waste,  but  the  governor  was  of  a  munificent  spirit,  and  so  elated  at  findnig  in 
tiis  train  such  noble  and  gallant  spirits,  that  he  (bought  he  could  not  do  enough 
to  honor  and  gratify  them. 

The  armament  arrived  at  Cuba  about  the  last  of  May.     Here  the  fleet  remained 
for  a  long  period ;  during  which  De  Soto  despatched  a  vessel  to  St.  Augustine  to  se 
lect  asafe  harbor.     This  having  been  accomplished,  he  sailed  from  Havana  on  the 
twelfth  of  May,  1539.  and  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  the  same  month  arrived  at  Es- 
piiitu  Santo,  and  took  formal  possession  of  the  country  in  the  name  of  Charles  V 

The  troops  disembarked,  and  not  a  single  Indian  was  to  be  seen  ;  the  soldicii^ 
remained  all  night  on  shore  in  careless  security,  when  in  the  morning  they  were 
suddenly  attacked  by  a  large  body  of  Indians  ;  several  of  the  Spaniards  were 
wounded  by  arrows,  but  reinforcements  arriving  from  the  ships,  the  savages 
were  repulsed  and  the  army  took  up  their  residence  in  the  deserted  village,  the 
houses  of  which  were  larjSfe,  built  of  wood,  and  thatched  with  palm-leaves 
Leaving  a  garrison  in  this  village  of  Herrihigua,  De  Soto  proceeded  for  several 
leagues  into  the  interior,  although  constantly  harassed  by  the  Indians. 

The  fertile  province  in  which  the  army  was  now  encamped  lay  twenty  leagues 
to  the  north  of  that  governed  by  Urrbarracaxi,  and  was  governed  by  a  cacique 
named  Acuera,  who,  on  the  approach  of  the  Spaniards,  had  fled  with  his  people 
to  the  woods.  Hernando  de  Soto  sent  Indian  interpreters  to  this  chief,  repre 
senting  the  power  of  the  Spaniards  to  do  injury  in  war,  and  confer  benefits  in 
peace  ;  declaring  his  disposition  to  befriend  the  natives  ;  his  only  object  being, 
by  amicable  means  to  bring  the  people  of  this  great  country  into  obedience  to 
his  sovereign,  the  powerful  emperor  and  king  of  Castile.  He  invited  the  cacique, 
therefore,  to  a  friendly  interview,  in  order  to  arrange  a  peaceful  intercourse. 
The  cacique  returned  a  haughty  reply  :  "  Others  of  your  accursed  race,"  said 
he,  "  have,  in  years  past,  disturbed  our  peaceful  shores.  They  have  taught  me 
what  you  are.  What  is  your  employment  ?  To  wander  about  like  vagabonds 
from  land  to  land  ;  to  rob  the  poor ;  to  betray  the  confiding  ;  to  murder  the  do- 
fenceless  in  cold  blood.  No !  with  such  a  people  I  want  neither  peace  nor 
friendship.  War — never-ending,  exterminating  war — is  all  I  ask.  You  Iwast 
yourselves  to  be  valiant — and  so  you  may  be  ;  but  my  faithful  warriors  are  not 
less  brave  ;  and  of  this  you  shall  one  day  have  proof,  for  I  have  sworn  to  main- 
tain an  unsparing  conflict  while  one  white  man  remains  in  my  borders ;  not 
openly  in  the  battle-field,  though  even  thus  we  fear  not  to  meet  you,  but  by 
stratagem,  ambush,  and  midnight  surprisal."  In  reply  to  the  demand  that  he 
should  yield  obedience  to  the  emperor,  the  chief  replied  :  "  I  am  king  in  my 
own  land,  and  will  never  become  the  vassal  of  a  mortal  like  myself.  Vile  and 
ousillanimous  is  he  who  submits  to  the  yoke  of  another  when  he  may  be  free . 


34 


OF    THE  AMEKICAN  REVOLUTION. 


As  for  me  aiid  my  people,  we  prefer  death  to  the  loss  of  liberty,  and  the  subju- 
gation of  our  country !"  The  governor,  filled  with  admiration  at  the  spirit  of  tiiis 
savage  rhieftain,  was  more  pressing  than  ever  to  gain  his  friendship  ,  but  to  all 
his  overtures  the  cacique's  answer  was,  that  he  had  already  made  the  only  reply 
he  had  to  offer  The  army  remained  in  this  province  twenty  days,  recruitina 
from  the  fatigues  and  privations  of  their  past  journey.  During  this  time,  the 
governor  sent  persons  in  every  direction  to  explore  the  country  ;  and  they  re- 
lumed with  favorable  reports.  During  this  time  Mte  Indians  v  ere  not  idle.  T<> 
justify  the  bravadoes  of  their  c;n  i  jiic,  they  lurked  in  r.mbush  about  the  camp,  so 
that  a  Spaniard  could  not  stray  a  hundred  steps  fro.n  it  without  being  shot  and 
instantly  beheaded  ;  if  his  companions  hastened  to  his  rescue,  they  found  iioth 
ing  but  a  headless  trunk.  The  Christians  buried  the  bodies  of  their  unfortu- 
nate comrades  wherever  they  found  them  ;  but  the  savages  invariably  returned 
the  following  night,  disinterred  them,  cut  them  up,  and  hanged  them  upon  trees. 
The  heads  tliey  carried  as  trophies  to  their  cacique,  according  to  his  orders. 
Thus  fourteen  Spaniards  perished,  and  a  great  number  were  wounded.  Ii. 
these  skirmishes  the  Indians  ran  compiiratively  little  risk,  as  the  Spanish  eii- 
campment  was  skirted  by  a  thicket,  whither,  after  making  an  assault,  the  assail- 
ants could  easily  escape.  In  this  manner  the  Spaniards  saw  effectually  verified 
the  threats  of  their  ferocious  foes,  who  had  hung  upon  thtir  rear  during  the 
march.  *'  Keep  on,  robbers  and  traitors  !"  they  cried,  "  in  Aucera  and  Apalachee 
we  will  treat  you  as  you  deserve.  We  will  quarter  and  hang  up  every  captive 
on  the  highest  trees  along  the  road."  Notwithstanding  their  great  vigilance, 
the  Spaniards  did  not  kill  more  than  fifty  Indians,  for  the  latter  were  extremely 
wary  in  their  ambuscades. 

The  foregoing  will  enable  out  readers  to  judge  of  the  ditficulties  encountered 
by  De  Soto.  He  however  continued  his  route  through  the  province  of  Osachile, 
and  the  army  passed  the  winter  of  1539  in  the  province  of  Apalachee.  In  the 
apring  of  1540,  De  Soto  continued  his  route  ;  and  in  the  province  of  Cosachriqui, 
which  is  thought  to  be  near  the  seacoast  of  Georgia  and  South  Carolina,  he  ob- 
ainod,  it  is  said,  fourteen  bushels  of  pearls.  At  length  he  came  to  the  dominions 
jf  the  cacique  Tuscaloosa,  which  must  have  comprised  a  great  part  of  Alai)ama 
ind  Mississippi.  Here  a  disastrous  battle  ensued  on  the  site  as  it  is  thought  oi 
Mobile ;  a  battle  in  which  forty-two  Spaniards  were  killed,  and  many  thousand 
Indians  perished.  After  this  battle  the  situation  of  the  Spaniards  was  most  de- 
plorable. Thi  army  had  been  much  reduced  by  the  inarch  into  the  interior  ; 
mo5t  of  the  soldiers  were  severely  wounded,  all  were  exhausted  by  fatigue  and 
hunger.  The  village  around  them  was  reduced  to  ashes,  and  ail  the  baggage 
with  the  supplies  of  food  and  medicine  had  been  consumed  in  the  house.  At 
this  time,  too,  the  spirit  and  ardor  of  De  Soto  were  damped  by  the  dissatisfaction 
among  his  troops  :  on  the  sixteenth  of  November,  he  therefore  broke  up  his  en- 
campment and  turned  his  face  to  the  northward ;  after  a  march  of  five  days  he 
entered  the  province  of  Chioazo,  where  he  remained  through  the  winter.  Early 
in  1541,  the  army  i(  De  Soto  was  attacked  in  the  encampment,  and  although  the 
Indians  were  driven  off  and  defeated,  yet  it  was  with  the  loss  of  forty  Spaniards 
with  their  horses.  Three  days  after  this  battle  the  army  moved  to  a  more  ad- 
vantageous position,  about  a  league  distant,  called  Chicacilla  ;  here  they  spent 
the  rest  of  the  winter,  in  great  suffering  from  the  cold,  having  lost  all  their  cloth- 
ing in  the  late  battle.  They  now  erected  a  forge,  and  busied  themselves  in 
rewly  tempering  their  swords,  and  in  making  saddles,  shields,  and  lances,  to 
replace  those  which  they  had  lost.  On  the  first  of  April,  the  army  again  moved 
forward  till  they  came  in  sight  of  the  Mississippi,  which  they  crossed  (probably 
at  the  lowest  Chickasaw  bluff),  and  came  to  the  village  called  Casquin  or  Casqui 
f  Kaakaskias),  situated  in  the  province  of  the  same  name.     The  same  fonunv 


c-^»K^«^^iif»«:;S««^«^!Mitft^g(ffi£^*^^^ 


OF  THE  AMEiUCAN  REVOHflON. 


35 


nd  the  subjii- 
)  spirit  of  tliis 
ip  ,  but  to  all 
he  only  reply 
ys,  recruitini; 
his  time,  thit 
and  they  rc- 
[lot  idle.  'I'o 
the  camp,  so 
iiig  shot  and 
t  found  iioth 
their  unfortu- 
ibly  returned 
n  upon  trees. 
)  his  orders, 
rounded.  Ii. 
Spanish  eii- 
dt,  the  assail- 
ually  verified 
ir  during  the 
id  Apalachee 
every  captive 
jat  vigilance, 
sre  extremely 

I  encountered 
5  of  Osachile, 
ihee.  In  the 
Cosachriqui, 
rolina,  he  ob- 
he  dominions 
•t  of  Alai)ama 
is  thought  of 
any  thousand 
was  most  de- 
the  interior ; 
y  fatigue  and 
the  baggage 
3  house.  At 
lissatisfaction 
ke  up  his  en- 
five  days  he 
inter.  Early 
although  the 
rty  Spaniards 
to  a  more  ad- 
re  they  spent 
ill  their  cloth- 
lemselves  in 
nd  lances,  to 
again  moved 
sed  (probably 
lin  or  Casqui 
same  fonunv 


■ttU  awaited  the  Spaniards:  the  Indians  were  constantly  attackini;  th<?m  ,  AtA 
although  alway.-*  subdued  and  cut  off  in  great  numbers,  yet  their  enrniiy  agninat 
the  conquerors  rt;«ia*neij  firm  and  implacable.  l)e  Soto,  how^evcr,  cotitimied 
his  march  through  the  province  of  Palisema,  passed  through  a  village  called 
Tanied  (Tunicas),  and  ca.iiu  among  the  tribe  of  Tida  Indians,  and  wintered  in 
the  village  of  Utlanque.  Here  their  interpreter  died,  and  his  death  was  a  severe 
loss  to  the  service,  as  throughout  the  expedition  he  had  served  as  the  main  orffan 
of  communication  between  the  Spaniards  and  the  natives.  In  the  spring  of 
1342,  the  views  of  De  Soto  were  changed;  his  hopes  of  finding  gold  regions 
w.^re  disappointed ;  he  had  lost  nearly  half  his  troops  by  fighting  and  hardships 
of  various  kinds ;  the  greater  part  of  his  horses' too  had  perished,  and  all  had 
been  without  shoes  for  more  than  a  year  for  the  want  of  iron.  He  now  resolved 
to  return  to  the  Mississippi ;  select  a  suitable  village  on  its  banks  for  a  fortified 
post,  establish  himself  there  and  build  two  vessels,  in  which  some  of  his  most 
confidential  followers  might  descend  the  river,  carry  tidings  of  his  safety  to  his 
wife  and  friends  in  Cuba,  procure  reinforcements  of  men  and  horses,  together 
with  flocks,  herds,  seeds,  and  everything  else  necessary  to  colonize  and  secure 
the  possession  of  the  vast  and  fertile  country  he  had  overrun.  As  soon  as  the 
spring  was  sufficiently  advanced,  therefore,  De  Soto  broke  up  his  winter  canton- 
ment and  set  out  in  the  direction  of  the  N  lasissippi ;  after  a  time  he  came  to  the 
village  of  Guachoya,  which  contained  thiee  hundred  houses,  and  was  situated 
about  a  bowshot  from  the  Mississippi  in  two  contiguous  hills  with  a  small  inter* 
vening  plain  that  served  as  a  public  square,  the  whole  way  fortified  with  palis- 
sades.  The  inhabitants  had  fled  across  the  river  in  their  canoes,  but  abundance 
of  provisions  was  found  in  the  adjacent  country.  Here  the  melancholy  wh'  h 
had  long  preyed  upon  the  spirits  of  De  Soto,  the  incessant  anxiety  of  mind  and 
fatigue  of  body,  added  perhaps  to  the  influence  of  climate,  brought  on  a  slow 
fever,  which  continued  until  the  seventh  day,  when  he  felt  convinced  that  his 
last  hour  was  at  hand.  He  now  made  his  will,  and  appointed  his  successor. 
When  this  was  done,  the  dying  chief  called  to  him  by  two  and  two,  and  three 
and  three,  the  most  noble  of  his  army,  and  after  them  he  ordered  that  the  soldiery 
should  enter,  twenty  and  twenty,  thirty  and  thirty,  and  of  all  of  them  he  took  his 
last  farewell.  He  charged  them  to  convert  the  natives  to  the  Catholic  faith,  and 
to  augment  the  power  of  the  crown  of  Spain.  He  thanked  them  for  their  affec- 
tion and  fidelity  to  him,  and  regretted  that  he  could  not  show  his  gratitude  by 
rewards  such  as  they  merited.  He  begged  forgiveness  of  all  whom  he  had 
oifended,  and  finally  entreated  them,  in  the  most  aflfectionate  manner,  to  be 
peaceful  and  loving  to  one  another.  Having  confessed  his  sins  with  much  hu- 
mility, he  died  like  a  catholic  Christian,  imploring  mercy  of  the  most  Holy 
Trinity.  His  body  was  placed  in  the  trunk  of  an  evergreen  oak  and  sunk  in 
the  Mississippi. 

V  .  Francis  I.,  a  powerful  monarch,  ambitious  of  every  kind  of  glory,  was  ani- 
mated also  with  eager  rivalry  of  Charles  V.,  who  derived  much  lustre  from  his 
possessions  in  the  new  world.  He  therefore  ardently  desired  to  follow  success- 
fully in  the  same  career  ;  and  with  this  view  he  supplied  to  Giovanni  Verazzano, 
a  noble  Florentine,  four  vessels  destined  to  America.  This  chief,  after  being 
driven  back  by  a  storm,  was  refitted,  and  engaged  in  some  successful  naval  op- 
erations on  the  Spanish  coast ;  and  it  was  then  determined,  that  in  the  Dolphin, 
with  fifty  men,  provisioned  for  eight  months,  he  should  prosecute  his  original 
design  of  discovery.  After  a  severe  tempest,  he  came,  in  the  middle  of  March, 
upon  a  coast  which,  with  great  probability,  is  supposed  to  be  that  of  North  Caro- 
lina ;  and  having  sailed  fifty  leagues  southward  in  search  of  a  port  without  suc- 
cess, he  turned  again  toward  the  north  with  the  same  object.  He  was  once 
more  disappointed  as  to  a  harbor  ;  but  seeing  a  fine  populous  country',  he  landed 


feiltes*'-'" 


16 


THE  PICTORIAI.  HISTORY 


I        I 


■►  a:  n,>./^ j,,i;:v<H3art;>^l,jKii.'..i:t..ii;-i.. i^i.»««««'i!i-'iw*»«*r^lb*(» 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 


^       I 


a, 
a. 


Kio.  17. — Portrait  of  Vcrazzano. 
in  boats,  and  held  some  friendly  intercourse  with  the  natives.  He  next  f  ro« 
ceeded  in  an  eastern  direction  along  a  low  coast,  where  even  a  boat  could  not 
touch  ;  but  a  sailor  swam  ashore,  and  though  alarmed  by  some  strange  gestures, 
found  the  natives  kind.  A  change  of  course  to  the  northward  marks  the  round- 
ing of  Cape  Hatteras  ;  and  a  run  of  fifty  leagues  brought  him  to  a  fertile  region, 
covered  with  rich  verdure  and  luxuriant  forests.  This  was  Virginia,  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Chesapeake,  though  no  mention  is  made  of  that  great  inlet.  A  sail 
of  one  hundred  leagues  in  the  same  direction  led  to  a  spacious  bay  receiving  a 
noble  river,  evidently  the  Hudson.  They  ascended  it  a  short  way  in  boats,  and 
were  delighted  with  its  banks.  The  coast  then  tended  eastward;  and  after 
following  it  fifty  leagues,  they  reached  an  island  of  pleasing  aspect,  which,  be- 
ing of  a  triangular  form,  and  about  the  size  of  Rhodes,  clearly  appears  to  be  that 
named  Martha's  Vineyard.  The  weather  prevented  his  landing ;  and,  fifteen 
leagues  farther,  he  found  a  very  convenient  port,  where  he  had  again  much  sat- 
isfaction in  communicating  with  the  people.  Though  the  latitude  of  forty-one 
degrees  forty  minutes  be  about  half  a  degree  too  low.  it  seems  impossible  not  to 
recognise  Boston.  He  then  made  a  course  of  1 50  leagues  along  a  country  of 
similar  character,  but  somewhat  more  elevated,  without  landing  at  any  point. 
Another  stretch  of  fifty  leagues,  first  west  and  then  north,  brought  him  to  a 
bolder  territory  (Nova  Scotia),  covered  with  dense  forests  of  fir,  pine,  and  other 
trees  of  a  northern  climate.  The  inhabitants  were  fiercer,  and  carried  on  trade 
only  under  jealous  precautions.  In  a  subsequent  run  of  the  same  extent,  he  dis- 
covered thirty  small  islands,  with  narrow  channels  running  between  them,  being 
such  as  are  known  to  stud  the  northern  coast  of  that  country  and  the  adjacent 
one  of  Cape  Breton.  Lastly,  by  sailing  150  leagues  farther,  he  reached  in  fifty 
degrees  the  land  discovered  by  the  Britons  (Newfoundland  or  Labrador).  Hi's 
ttock  of  victuals  being  spent,  he  here  took  in  water,  and  returned  to  France. 

Verazzano,  on  the  eighth  of  July,  1584,  wrote  to  the  king  from  Dieppe  a  nar 
rative  of  this  voyage.  Ramusio  heard  from  different  quarters  that  he  had  sub- 
mitted to  that  monarch  the  plan  of  a  colony ;  and  the  general  belief  is,  that  ht 
was  again  employed  by  him.  Mr.  Biddlc,  indeed,  urges  the  improbability  that 
amid  the  disasters  caused  by  the  battle  of  Pavia  ir   February,  1525,  Francis 


.^*a.w*|iSteiiit-.- 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


could  engage  in  any  such  undertaking.  Down,  however,  to  that  fatal  day,  his 
career  was  triumphant ;  and  there  was  amplo  time  to  have  authorized  anoiiie? 
expedition,  though  there  is  a  total  absence  of  any  positive  notice  on  the  subject 
Ramusio,  without  mentioning  either  place  or  date,  states  that  in  his  last  voyage 
having  landed  with  some  companions,  he  was  killed  by  the  savages  in  presence 
of  his  crew  still  on  shipboard.  In  a  modern  narrative,  which,  from  its  full  gene- 
alogical details,  appears  to  have  been  furnished  by  his  relatives,  Coronelli,  an 
eminent  Venetian  hydrographer,  is  quoted,  expressing  his  belief  that  the  catas- 
trophe took  place  off  Cape  Breton,  in  1525.  In  the  portrait  from  which  our 
sketch  is  taken,  the  inscription  positively  bears  "  Dead  in  1525."  It  was  en- 
graved in  1767  after  a  picture  ny  Zocchi,  in  the  possession  of  the  family,  whose 
opinion  is  thus  decidedly  expressed.  Yet  Tiraboschi  has  drawn  attention  to  a 
letter  of  Annibal  Caro,  apparently  directed  to  him  when  living  at  Florence  in 
1537.     There  seems  a  mystery  round  his  fate,  which  can  not  be  unravelled. 

Claims  so  extensive  and  so  feebly  supported  as  those  of  Spain  to  North 
America,  were  not  likely  to  remain  long  undisputed.  Other  European  nations 
were  then  rapidly  advancing  in  maritime  skill  and  enterprise,  among  whom  for 
some  time  France  took  the  lead.  The  defeat  and  captivity  of  the  king,  followed 
by  an  humiliating  peace,  naturally  diverted  his  mind  from  distant  enterprises,  es- 
pecially such  as  would  have  been  considered  hostile  by  his  rival,  Charles.  The 
troubles  which  agitated  the  country  after  his  death  were  also  unfavorable  to  such 
undertakings  ;  nevertheless,  the  spirit  of  adventure  was  cherished  among  th" 
people,  especially  the  Huguenots,  an  industrious  class,  who  almost  alone  raised 
her  commerce  and  manufactures  to  a  flourishing  condition.  Admiral  Coligni, 
one  of  the  leaders  in  that  eventful  time,  lormed  the  scheme  of  a  transatlantic 
♦ettlement,  which  might  at  once  extend  the  resources  of  his  country,  and  afford 
an  asylum  to  his  Protestant  brethren.  While  the  civil  war  was  yet  only  impend- 
ing, he  enjoyed  intervals  of  favor  at  court,  which  enabled  him  to  obtain  permis- 
iirst  to  establish  one  in  Brazil ;  and  when  that  proved  unfortunate,  to  plant 


sion, 


another  in  Florida.  Ho  fitted  out  two  vessels  in  1562,  and  placed  them  under 
John  Rioault  of  Dieppe,  a  seaman  of  experience.  The  object  was  to  reach  the 
mouth  of  the  river  called  by  Ayllon  the  Jordan,  now  Combahee,  in  South  Caro- 
lina ;  but,  steering  in  too  low  a  latitude,  the  discoverers  reached  the  St.  John, 
near  St  Augustine.  On  reaching  Port  Royal,  they  wore  so  pleased  with  its  noble 
harbor,  the  magnificent  trees,  and  beautiful  shrubs,  that  they  determined  to  choose 
it  for  the  site  of  their  colony.  Having  seen  a  fort  erected,  and  the  settlement 
in  a  promising  state,  Ribault  left  twenty-six  men,  and  returned  to  France  for 
reinforcements  and  supplies.  This  seems  an  imprudent  step.  The  establish- 
ment, in  its  unsettled  state,  stood  in  peculiar  need  of  being  well  governed ; 
whereas  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  Albert,  a  rash  and  tyrannical  officer,  who,  find- 
ing it  difficult  to  maintain  authority,  where  all  thought  themselves  nearly  equal, 
enforced  it  in  the  most  violent  manner.  He  addressed  them  in  opprobrious  lan- 
guage ;  hanged  one  of  them  with  his  own  hands,  and  threatened  others  with  the 
same  fate.  At  length  they  rose  in  mutiny,  put  him  to  death,  and  appointed  a 
new  commander,  Nicholas  Barre,  who  restored  tranquillity. 

Ribault,  meantime,  in  consequence  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  great  civil  war, 
was  unable  to  make  good  his  expectations  and  promises.  After  long  waiting 
for  him,  the  colonists  were  seized  with  an  extreme  desire  to  return  to  their  na- 
tive country ;  and,  having  no  ship,  they  resolved  to  build  one,  and  constructed  Ak 
brigantine  fit  for  the  passage  ;  hut  they  laid  in  a  slender  stock  of  provisions, 
which,  during  the  delay  of  a  tedious  calm,  was  entirely  consumed.  The  last 
jxtremilies  of  famine  »,  ere  suffered  ;  and  one  had  been  actually  sacriticed  to 
preserve  the  rest,  when  an  English  vessel  appeared,  and  received  them  on  board. 

This  project  was  still  cherished  by  Coligni ;   and  in   1564,  he  fitted  out 


L;>v.,w.,-^i-^;i 


.'  Jti?  -^A^,^'fi?.$i^*4*^^*!fc»f.'**«w.  A^f-v  fh  U'f.i^r^i^  '^-■..t«i^ 


OF  THE  AMERIt   VN  REVOLUTION. 


as 


1  day,  his 
I  aiioihet 
J  subject 
t  voyage 
presence 
full  gene- 
onelli,  an 
he  catas- 
rhich  OUT 
was  on- 
ly, tvhosM 
ntion  to  a 
Drence  in 
veiled, 
to   North 
,n  nations 
whom  for 
;,  followed 
prises,  es- 
les.     The 
lie  to  such 
imong  th<» 
one  raised 
,1  Coligni, 
ansatlantic 
and  afford 
ly  iinpend- 
lin  permis- 
te,  to  plant 
lein  under 
reach  the 
outh  Caro- 
St.  John, 
its  noble 
to  choose 
settlemant 
ranee  for 
establish- 
Toverned ; 
who,  find- 
iirly  equal, 
tbrious  Ian- 
rs  with  the 
ppointed  a 

civil  war, 
ig  waiting 
o  their  na- 
nstructed  ik 
[)rovisions, 
The  last 
icriliced  to 
m  on  board, 
fitted  oHi 


hiflB  vessels,  abundantly  supplied,  and  gave  the  command  to  Remt^  Laudonniere 
an  able  officer  who  had  accompanied  Ribault.  Taking  a  circuitous  course  by 
the  Canaries  and  the  West  Indies,  he  made  for  Florida,  which  he  chose  to  term 
New  France  ;  and  at  Ribault's  first  station  on  the  river  St.  John  (ritmed  May 
from  the  mouth  of  its  discovery),  the  party  resolved  to  stop  and  settle.  The  fori 
of  La  Carolina  was  erected,  and  expeditions  sent  up  the  river,  where  small 
quantities  of  gold  and  silver  were  seen  ;  reports  being  also  received  as  to  the 
mountainous  country  in  the  interior,  where  these  metals  abounded.  The  hopes 
thus  kindled  were  quite  illusory,  and  di"erted  attention  from  the  solid  labors  of 
agriculture.  Alarming  symptoms  of  insubordination  appeared ;  many  oi  the 
party,  notwithstanding  their  religious  profession,  were  of  a  reckless  chai  icter, 
and  had  gone  out  with  the  most  chimerical  hopes  of  suddenly  realizing  a  large 
fortune.  Seeing  no  such  prospect,  they  formed  the  criminal  resolution  of  seek- 
ing it  by  piracy.  They  confined  their  commander,  and  extorted  from  him,  by 
threats  of  immediate  death,  a  commission  to  follow  this  unlawful  vocation  ; 
while,  by  rifling  his  stores,  they  obtained  materials  for  its  prosecution.  After 
various  fortune,  they  were  successful  in  capturing  a  vessel,  richly  laden,  and 
having  the  governor  of  Jamaica  on  board.  Hoping  for  a  large  ransom,  they 
sailed  to  the  island,  and  unguardedly  allowed  him  to  send  messeiigers  to  his 
wife  ;  through  whom  he  conveyed  a  secret  intimation,  in  cons  (juence  of  which 
an  armed  force  surrounded  the  pirates,  captured  the  larger  of  their  vessels, 
while  the  other  escaped  by  cutting  her  cables.  Those  on  board  the  latter  being 
reduced  to  extremity  from  want  of  food,  wore  obliged  to  return  to  the  settlement 
where  Laudonniere  condemned  four  of  the  ringleaders  to  be  executed. 

That  chief  meantime  continued  to  make  incursions  to  the  interior,  and  entered 
into  various  transactions  with  the  natives  in  the  vain  hope  of  arriving  at  some 
region  rich  in  gold  and  silver.  Neglecting  to  establish  themselves  on  the  solid 
basis  of  agriculture,  the  settlers  depended  for  food  on  the  Indians,  whose  own 
stock  was  scanty.  They  were  therefore  obliged  to  undertake  long  journeys, 
without  obtaining  a  full  supply ;  and  the  natives,  seeing  them  thus  straitened, 
raised  the  price,  disdainfully  telling  them  to  eat  their  goods,  if  they  did  not 
choose  to  give  them  for  grain  and  fish.  Amid  these  sufferings,  and  no  prospect 
of  realizing  their  fond  dreams  of  wealth,  they  were  seized,  as  was  usual,  with 
the  ardent  desire  of  returning  home,  and  shrunk  not  from  the  laborious  task  of 
constructing  vessels  for  that  purpose.  Amid  their  painful  labor,  they  were 
cheered  by  a  visit  from  Sir  John  Hawkins,  who  gave  them  a  liberal  supply  of 
provisions.  They  did  not,  however,  intermit  their  task,  and  on  the  twenty-eighth 
of  August,  1565,  were  on  the  point  of  sailing,  when  several  ships  were  descried 
approaching  ;  which  proved  to  be  a  new  expedition,  under  Ribault,  sent  to  su- 
persede Laudonniere,  of  whose  severity  complaints  had  been  made.  He  brought 
a  reinforcement,  with  ample  supplies,  which  induced  the  colonists  to  remain. 

VII.  The  name  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  is  dear  to  Americans,  for  to  him  is  due 
the  honor  of  projecting  and  of  keeping  up,  by  his  persevering  efforts  and  expen- 
sive expeditions,  the  idea  of  permanent  British  settlements  in  America.  His 
name  is  thus  associated  with  the  origin  of  the  independent  states  of  North 
America,  and  must  be  reverenced  by  all  who,  from  liberal  curiosity  or  pious  af- 
fection, study  the  early  history  of  their  country. 

Walter  Raleigh  was  born  at  Hayes,  on  the  coast  of  Devonshire :  when  youn^, 
he  was  sent  to  Oriel  college,  Oxford,  where  he  exhibited  a  restless  ambition, 
which  prompted  him  to  seek  distinction  rather  in  the  stirring  scenes  of  the  world, 
than  the  cloistered  solitude  uf  i\  college ;  and  this  natural  inclination  to  adven- 
ture was  fostered  by  the  study  of  books  relating  to  the  conquests  of  the  Spaniards 
in  the  new  world,  a  species  of  reading  which  was  the  delight  of  his  oarlV  >  ears 
Ind  undouljtedly  gave  a  color  t(<  the  whole  tenor  of  his  life. 


OF  'I'lIK  AMKINCW   I{K VOf.UTION. 


41 


V 

-a 

b5 


i 


[n 


Fio.  19.— Portrait  of  Sir  Walter  Raluigh. 

His  Stay  at  Oxford,  therefore,  was  short ;  and  in  1559  he  seized  the  opportu 
iiity  of  the  civil  wars  in  France,  between  the  Huguenots  and  Catholics,  to  visit 
that  kingdom  and  commence  his  military  education  ;  but  although  engaged  in 
war,  he  found  leisure  to  study  the  histories  of  the  discoveries  of  Columbus,  the 
conquests  of  Cortes,  and  the  sanguinary  triumphs  of  Pizarro,  which  books  were 
his  especial  favorites.  By  the  study  of  the  Spanish  voyages,  and  his  conversa- 
tions with  some  skilful  mariners  of  that  nation,  whom  he  met  in  Holland  and 
Flanders,  he  had  learned  that  the  Spanish  ships  always  went  into  the  gulf  of 
Mexico  by  St.  Domingo  and  Hispaniola,  and  directed  their  homeward  coui  e  by 
the  Havana  and  the  gulf  of  Florida,  where  they  found  a  continued  coast  on  the 
west  side,  tending  away  north,  which,  however,  they  soon  lost  sight  of  by  stand- 
ing to  the  east,  to  make  the  coast  of  Spain.  Upon  these  grounds,  and  for  reasons 
deduced  from  analogy  and  a  knowledge  of  the  sphere,  he  concluded  there  must 
be  a  vast  extent  of  land  north  of  the  gulf  of  Florida,  of  which  he  resolved  to  at- 
tempt  the  discovery. 

Probably,  also,  during  his  residenoe  in  France  ho  might  have  become  ac- 
quainted  with  the  particulars  of  the  voyage  of  Verazzano,  or  have  seen  the 
charts  constructed  by  that  navigator,  who  had  explored  the  same  coast  nearly  as 
'ar  south  as  the  latitude  of  Virgmia.  Having  f.iUy  weighed  this  project,  he  laiJ 
a  memoir  before  the  queen  and  council,  who  approved  of  the  undertaking  ;  and 
in  the  beginning  of  1584  her  majesty  granted,  by  letters  patent,  all  such  coun- 
tries as  he  should  discover  in  property  to  himdelf  and  his  heirs,  reserving  to  the 
crown  the  fifth  part  of  the  gold  or  silver  ore  which  might  be  found      The  patenf 


Ai 


THE  PICTORIAL   HISTORY 


contained  ample  authority  for  the  dolence  of  the  new  countries,  the  transpor 
of  spttlerB,  and  the  exportation  of  provisions  and  commodities  for  their  use. 

Sir  Wa'it'^r  selected  for  the  command  of  his  projected  voyage  two  experienced 
officers — Captain  Philip  Amadas  and  Arthur  Harlow — to  whom  he  gave  minutfi 
written  inf.tructions,  and  who  sailed  with  two  ships,  well  manned  and  provisioned 
on  the  tvventy-seventli  of  April,  1584.  On  the  tenth  of  May  they  arrived  at  the 
Canaries  ;  after  which,  keeping  a  southwesterly  course,  they  made  the  West 
Indies  ;  and,  departing  thence  on  the  tenth  of  .Fuly,  found  themselves  in  shoal 
water,  discerning  their  approach  to  the  lands  by  the  delicious  fragrance  with 
which  the  air  was  loaded — "  as  if,"  to  use  the  words  of  their  letter  to  Raleigh, 
"  we  had  been  in  the  midst  of  some  delicate  garden,  abounding  with  all  kinds  of 
odoriferous  flowers." 

Arrived  u])on  the  coast,  and  sailing  along  upward  of  one  hundred  and  tv  eniy 
miles,  they  at  length  found  a  haven,  and  disembarked.  Their  first  step  was  to 
take  possession  of  the  country  in  the  name  of  the  queen ;  after  which  ihey  as- 
cended a  neighboring  eminence,  and  discovered  to  their  surprise  that  they  had 
not  landed  on  the  continent,  but  on  the  island  of  Okakoke,  which  they  found 
running  parallel  to  nearly  the  whole  coast  of  North  Carolina.  The  valleys  were 
finely  wooded  with  cedars,  around  whose  trunks  wild  vines  hungin  rich  festoons ; 
and  the  grape  seemed  so  native  to  the  soil,  that  the  clusters  covered  the  ground, 
and  dij)ped  into  the  sea.  For  two  days  no  inhabitants  were  seen  ;  but  on  the 
third  a  canoe  with  three  men  approached.  One  of  them  was  easily  prevailed 
on  to  come  aboard,  when  the  present  of  a  shirt  and  some  trinkets  gained  his 
confif^.ence.  On  returning  to  his  boat  he  began  to  fish,  and  having  loaded  it 
heavily,  paddled  back  to  the  English,  and,  dividing  his  cargo  into  two  parts,  in- 
timr>ted  that  one  was  for  the  ship,  and  the  other  for  the  pinnace. 

Next  day  they  received  a  visit  from  some  canoes,  in  which  were  forty  or  fifty 
•«en,  among  whom  was  Granganimeo,  the  king's  brother.  Having  first  rowed 
within  a  short  distance,  they  landed  on  the  beach  ;  and  the  chief,  attended  by 
his  suite,  who  were  handsome  and  athletic  persons,  fearlessly  approached  op- 
lositc  the  ship.  A  long  mat  was  spread  for  him,  on  which  he  sat  down;  and 
"bur  men  of  his  followers,  apparently  men  of  rank,  squatted  themselves  on  the 
corner.  Signs  were  made  for  the  English  to  come  forward  ;  and  on  doing  so, 
Granganimeo  desired  them  to  sit  down  beside  him,  showing  every  token  of  joy 
and  welcome,  first  striking  his  own  head  and  breast,  and  afterward  those  of  the 
strangers,  as  if  to  express  that  they  were  all  brethren.  Presents  were  exchanged ; 
and  such  was  the  reverence  with  which  these  people  treated  their  prince,  that 
while  he  made  a  long  harangue,  they  remained  perfectly  still,  standing  at  a  dis- 
tance ;  even  the  four  chiefs  only  venturing  to  communicate  their  feelings  to 
each  other  in  a  low  whisper.  The  gifts  were  received  with  delight ;  but  on 
some  trinkets  being  oflJered  to  the  chiefs,  Granganimeo  quietly  rose  up,  and, 
taking  them  away,  put  them  into  his  own  basket,  intimating  by  signs  that  every- 
thing ought  to  be  given  to  bim,  these  men  being  no  more  than  his  servants — a 
proce«;ding  to  which  they  submitted  without  a  murmur.  A  trade  was  soon 
opened,  in  which  the  strangers  made  good  profit,  by  exchanging  beads  and  other 
trifleF  for  rich  furs  and  skins.  On  exhibiting  their  wares,  Granganimeo's  eye 
fixed  with  delight  upon  a  pewter  dish,  for  which  he  conceived  the  strongest  de- 
sire It  became  his  at  the  price  of  twenty  skins;  and,  having  pierced  a  liole 
in  the  rim,  he  hung  it  round  his  neck,  making  signs  that  it  would  serve  as  a 
breastplate  to  protect  him  against  the  arrows  of  his  enemies. 

It  was  now  found  that  these  people  were  engaged  in  hostilities  with  a  neigh- 
boring nation,  and  that  the  absence  of  the  king  was  occasioned  by  severe  wounds 
lately  received  in  battle,  of  which  he  lay  sick  at  the  chief  town,  six  miles  oiT. 
His  brother,  after  a  few  days,  again  visited  the  English,  attended  by  bis  wife  and 


V^^^'■*^^.K;!^^liJ^iiM'^J!Sfe';l•%*.i'&.*l 


as  a 


44 


THE   PICTORIAL    HISTORY 


children,  coming  aboard  and  partaking  of  a  collation,  which  they  seeined  to  en 

toy.  Their  manners  were  remarkable  for  ease  and  civility.  The  lady  was  a 
landsoine  little  woman,  extremely  Ijashful.  She  wore  a  leathern  mantle,  with 
the  fur  next  her  skin,  and  her  hair,  which  was  long  and  black,  was  confined  in 
a  band  of  white  coral ;  strings  of  pearls,  as  large  as  peas,  hnng  from  her  ears, 
reaching  to  her  middle.  Her  children  had  ear-rings  of  the  samo  precious  mate- 
rial, while  those  of  her  attendants  were  of  copper.  Granganimeo  was  dressed 
much  in  the  same  fashion  as  his  wife.  On  his  head  he  wore  a  i)roiid  plate  of 
metal  ;  but,  not  being  permitted  to  examine  it,  they  were  uncertain  whether  it 
was  copper  or  gold. 

A  brisk  trade  now  began  with  the  natives  ;  but  no  one  was  allowed  to  engage 
in  it  when  the  king's  brother  was  present,  except  such  chiefs  as  were  distin- 
guished by  having  plates  of  copper  upon  their  heads.  When  this  prince  intended 
to  visit  the  ship,  he  invariably  intimated  the  number  of  boats  which  were  to  ac- 
company him,  by  lighting  on  the  shore  an  equal  number  of  beacons.  The  navi- 
gators learned  that  about  twenty  years  before  their  arrival,  a  vessel  belonging 
to  a  Christian  country  had  been  wrecked  on  the  coast,  all  hands  on  board  per- 
ishing ;  out  of  the  planks  cast  ashore,  the  people  had  drawn  the  nails  and  bolts, 
with  which  they  had  formed  some  edgetools,  not  having  possessed  any  previous 
to  this  accident ;  but  these  were  very  rude,  and  their  common  instruments  con- 
sisted of  shells  and  sharp  flints.  Considering  such  imperfect  means,  their  canoes 
were  admirably  made,  and  large  enough  to  hold  twenty  men.  When  thoy  wii^hed 
to  construct  one,  they  either  burned  down  a  large  tree,  or  selected  such  as  had 
been  blown  down  by  the  wind,  and  laying  a  coat  of  gum  and  resin  on  one  side, 
set  fire  to  it,  by  which  it  was  hollowed  out ;  after  which  they  scraped  and  pol- 
ished it  with  their  shells  ;  and  if  found  too  shallow,  laid  on  more  resin,  and 
burnt  it  down  to  the  required  depth. 

The  soil  of  the  country  was  rich,  the  air  mild  and  salubrious,  and  they  counted 
fourteen  kinds  of  sweet-smelling  trees,  besides  an  uilderwood  of  laurel  and  box, 
with  oaks  whose  girth  was  greater  than  those  of  England.  The  fruits  were 
melons,  walnuts,  cucumbers,  gourds,  and  esculent  roots  ;  and  the  woods  were 
plentifully  stocked  with  bucks,  rabbits,  and  hares.  After  a  short  while,  the  ad- 
venturers, by  invitation  of  the  natives,  explored  the  river,  on  whose  banks  was 
their  principal  town ;  but  the  distance  to  be  travelled  being  twenty  miles,  they 
did  not  see  the  city.  They  reached,  however,  an  island  called  Aonoak,  where 
they  found  a  village  of  nine  houses,  built  of  cedar,  the  residence  of  their  friend 
Granganimeo,  who  was  then  absent.  His  wife,  with  whom  they  were  already 
acquain'jd,  rscived  them  with  distinguished  hospitality,  running  out  to  meet 
them,  giving  directions  to  her  servants  to  pull  their  boats  on  shore,  and  to  cany 
the  white  strangers  on  their  backs  to  her  own  house,  where  she  feasted  them 
with  fish  and  venison,  and  afterward  set  before  them  a  desert  of  various  kinds. 
These  people  were  gentle  and  faithful,  void  of  all  deceit,  and  seemed  to  live 
after  the  manner  of  the  golden  age. 

As  the  surf  beat  high  on  the  landing  they  got  wet,  notwithstanding  their 
mode  of  transport ;  but  this  inconvenience  ^v\d  soon  remedied  ;  a  great  liire  be- 
ing kindled,  and  their  clothes  washed  and  dried  by  the  princess'  women,  while 
their  feet  were  bathed  in  warm  water.  The  natives  expressed  astonishment  at 
the  whiteness  of  their  skins,  and  kindly  patted  them  as  they  looked  wonderingly 
at  each  other.  During  tlie  feast,  two  men,  armed  with  bows  and  arrows,  sud- 
lenly  entered  the  gate,  when  the  visiters,  in  some  alarm,  took  hold  of  their 
ewords,  which  lay  beside  them,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  their  hostess,  who  at 
once  detected  tuoir  mistrust.  She  despatchec'  some  of  her  attendants  to  drive 
the  poor  fellows  out  of  the  gate,  and  who,  s  izing  their  bows  and  arrows,  broke 
them  in  an  instant.     These  arrows  were  made  of  small  canes,  pointed  with  shell 


-''<^  '.-i^:  .V"ieft>;*i\--j'. 


t>itrt^s^«4^^sK,cX,ii*^j!?»?iiii>^ 


UF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


seined  to  en 
lady  was  a 
mantle,  with 
s  confined  in 
om  her  ears, 
ecious  mate- 
was  dressed 
3iid  plate  of 
I  whether  it 

ed  to  engage 
were  distin- 
nce  intended 
were  to  ac- 
The  r.avi- 
el  belonging 
1  board  per- 
ils and  bolts, 
my  previous 
uments  coa- 
iheir  canoes 
thoy  wiijhed 
such  as  had 
on  one  side, 
led  and  pol- 
e  resin,  and 

^hey  co\tiited 
irel  and  box. 

fruits  were 
woods  were 
hile,  the  ad- 
3  banks  was 

miles,  they 
noak,  where 

their  friend 
irere  already 
out  to  meet 
and  to  cany 
easted  them 
irious  kinds, 
med  to  live 

mding  theii 
rreat  fire  be- 
omen,  while 
)nishment  at 
wonderingly 
arrows,  sud- 
lold  of  their 
tess,  who  at 
nts  to  drive 
rrows,  broke 
id  with  shell 


«5 


or  the  sharp  to.jlh  of  a  fish.  The  swords,  breastplates,  anil  war-clubs,  used  bv 
the  natives,  were  formed  of  hardened  wood  ;  to  the  eiul  of  this  last  weapon,  they 
fastened  the  horns  of  a  stag  or  some  other  beast,  and  their  wars  were  carried  on 
with  much  cruelty  and  loss  of  life. 

The  name  of  the  country  where  the  English  landed  was  called  Wingandacoa , 
and  ol  the  sovereign  Wingiria  ;  but  his  kingdom  was  of  moderate  extent,  and 
surrounded  by  states  uikI.t  independent  rinces,  some  of  them  in  alliance  and 
and  others  at  war  with  him.  Having  .  ^..nined  as  much  of  the  interior  as  theii 
lime  would  permit,  they  sailed  homeward,  accompanied  by  two  of  the  natives, 
named  Wanchcse  and  .\Ianteo,  and  arrived  in  England  in  the  middle  of  Sep- 
tember. '^ 

Raleigh  was  highly  delighted  with  this  new  discovery,  establishing,  in  so 
satislactory  a  manner,  the  results  of  his  previous  reasoning,  and  undertaken  at 
his  sole  suggestion  and  expense.  His  royal  mistress,  too,  was  scarcely  less 
gratified  ;  she  gave  her  countenance  and  support  to  the  schemes  for  colonization 
which  ho  begun  to  urge  at  court,  and  issued  her  command,  that  the  new  country, 
80  full  of  amenity  and  beauty,  should,  in  allusion  to  her  state  of  life,  be  called 
Virginia. 

Not  long  after  this,  Raleigh  received  the  honor  of  knighthood,  a  dignity  be- 
stowed by  Elizabeth  with  singular  frugality  and  discrimination,  and,  about  the 
same  period,  the  grant  of  a  patent  to  license  the  vending  of  wines  throughout  the 
kingdom  ;  a  monopoly  extremely  lucrative  in  its  returns,  and  which  was  probably 
bestowed  by  Elizabeth  to  enable  him  to  carry  on  his  great  schemes  for  the  im- 
provement of  navigation,  and  the  settlement  of  a  colony  in  Virginia. 

Sir  Walter  now  fitted  out  a  new  fleet  for  America,  the  command  of  which  he 
gave  to  Sir  Richard  Grenville ;  the  fleet  consisted  of  seven  vessels ;  part  of 
these  were  fitted  out  at  Sir  Walter's  expense,  the  remainder  by  his  companions 
in  the  adventure  ;  one  of  whom  was  Thomas  Candish  or  Cavendish,  afterward 
so  eminent  as  a  navigator,  who  now  served  under  Grenville. 

On  the  nineteenth  of  April  the  mariners  reached  the  Canaries,  from  which 
they  steered  to  Dominica  in  the  West  Indies,  and  landed  at  Puerto  Rico,  where 
they  constructed  a  temporary  fort.  On  the  twenty-sixth  of  June,  after  some  de- 
lays at  Hispaniola  and  Florida,  they  proceeded  to  Wohoken  in  Virginia ;  and 
having  sent  notice  of  their  arrival  by  Manteo,  one  of  the  two  natives  who  had 
visited  England,  they  were  soon  welcomed  by  their  old  friend  Granganimeo, 
who  displayed  much  satisfaction  at  their  return.  Mr.  Ralph  Lane,  who  had 
been  invested  with  the  dignity  of  chief-governor,  now  disembarked  with  one 
hundred  and  eight  men,  having  as  his  deputy  Philip  Amadas,  one  of  the  original 
discoverers.  Grenville  does  not  appear  to  have  been  sufficiently  impressed  with 
the  difficulties  attending  an  infant  colony  in  a  new  country ;  and,  accordingly 
after  a  short  stay,  during  which  was  collected  a  valuable  cargo  of  skin.?  furs' 
and  pearls,  he  returned  to  England,  carrying  into  Plymouth  a  Spanish  prize' 
which  he  had  captured  on  the  homeward  voyage,  of  three  hundred  tons  burden' 
and  richly  laden. 

Tl  first  survey  of  their  new  country  delighted  the  English ;  and  the  gover- 
nor, in  a  letter  to  Hakluyt,  who  appears  to  have  been  his  intimate  friend,  informs 
him  that  "  they  had  discovered  the  mainland  to  be  the  goodliest  soil  under  the 
cope  of  heaven  ;  abounding  with  sweet  tre-^s,  that  bring  sundry  rich  and  pleas- 
ant guu.s  ;  •  •  and,  moreover,  of  huge  and  unknown  greatness  :  well  peopled 
and  towned,  though  savagely,  and  the  climate  co  wholesome,  that  they  had  not 
one  person  sick  since  their  arrival .'" 

Lane  fixed  his  abode  on  the  island  of  Roanoke,  and  thence  extended  his  re- 
searches eighty  miles  southward  to  the  city  of  Secotan.  He  also  pushed  one 
hundred  and  thirty  miles  north,  to  the  country  of  the  Chspepians,  a  temperate 


feji^^i^^S 


46 


THE   FICIOIUAI.   msroKY 


and  fertile  lej^ion  ;  and  northwest  to  Chawanook,  a  larne  provinee,  tinder  a  mon 
arch  niiined  Menatonon.  These  proceedinifs,  however,  were  soon  interrupted 
liy  the  ihreaieninij  uspect  of  affairs  at  headijuarttirs.  Evt-n  hufore  the  departure 
i>r  (Jrenville  for  England,  an  aecident  oecirred,  in  which  the  conduct  of  the  set- 
tlers appeared  rash  and  impolitic.  A  silver  cup  had  been  stolen,  and  a  boat  was 
despatciied  to  Aquascogok  to  reclaim  it.  Alarmed  at  this  visit,  the  savages  (led 
nito  the  woods,  and  the  enraged  crew  demtdished  the  city  and  destroyed  the 
corntields.  A  revenge  so  deep  for  so  slight  an  injury  incensud  the  natives  ;  and 
althougli  tliey  artfully  concealed  their  resentment,  from  that  moment  all  cordiality 
between  them  and  the  strangers  was  at  an  end. 

Not  long  after,  .Menatonon  and  his  son  Skyco  were  seized  and  put  in  irons; 
but  the  monarch  was  .soon  liberated,  while  the  youth  was  retained  as  a  hostage 
foi  his  iideliiy.  To  all  appearance,  this  precaution  had  the  desired  elfect.  Uut 
lie  king,  although  an  untaught  savage,  proved  himself  an  adept  in  dissimulation. 
Working  upon  the  avarice  and  credulity  of  the  English,  he  enticed  them  into  the 
int>>rior  of  the  country  by  a  flattering  report  of  its  extraordinary  richness  and 
amenity.  He  asserted  that  they  would  arrive  at  a  region  where  the  robes  of 
the  sovereign  and  his  courtiers  were  embroidered  with  pearl,  and  the  beds  and 
houses  studded  with  the  same  precious  material.  Menatonon  described  also  a 
remarkably  rich  mine,  called  by  the  natives  chaumis  temoatan,  which  was  situ- 
ated in  the  country  of  the  Mangaoaks,  and  produced  a  mineral  similar  to  copper, 
although  softer  and  paler. 

B  these  artful  representations,  Lane  was  persuaded  to  undertake  an  expedi- 
tion by  water,  with  two  wherries  and  forty  men.  Instead,  however,  of  the 
^iromised  relays  of  provisions,  they  found  the  towns  deserted,  and  the  whole 
country  laid  waste.  Their  boats  glided  along  silent  and  solitary  banks ;  and 
after  three  days,  during  which  they  had  not  seen  a  human  being,  their  last  mor 
sel  of  food  was  exhausted,  and  the  governor,  now  aware  of  the  treachery  of 
Menatonon,  proposed  to  return.  His  men,  however,  entreated  him  to  proceed, 
still  haunted  by  dreams  of  the  inexhaustible  riches  of  the  Mangaoaks'  country, 
^iid  declaring  they  could  not  starve  as  long  as  they  had  two  mastitis,  which  they 
might  kill,  aiid  make  into  soup.  Overcome  by  such  arguments.  Lane  continued 
the  voyage  ;  but  for  two  days  longer  no  living  thing  appeared.  At  night,  inde'ed, 
lights  were  st  en  moving  on  the  banks,  demon&trating  that  their  progress  wa» 
not  unknown,  though  the  observers  were  invisible.  At  last,  on  the  third  day, 
a  loud  voice  from  the  woods  suddenly  called  out  the  name  of  Manteo,  who  was 
now  with  the  expedition.  As  the  voice  was  followed  by  a  song.  Lane  imagined 
it  a  pacitic  salutation  ;  but  the  Indian  seized  his  gun,  and  had  scarcely  time  to 
warn  them  that  they  were  aboL  to  be  attacked,  when  a  volley  of  arrows  was 
discharged  into  the  boats.  The  travellers  now  landed  and  assaulted  the  sava 
ges,  who  fell  back  into  the  depths  of  the  wood,  and  escaped  with  little  injury  ; 
upon  which  it  was  resolved  to  return  to  the  settlement.  On  their  homeward 
bound  voyage,  which,  owing  to  their  descending  with  the  current  was  performed 
with  great  rapidity,  they  had  recourse  to  the  mastiff  broth,  or,  as  the  governor 
terms  it,  "  dog's  porridge,"  and  arrived  at  Roanoke  in  time  to  defeat  a  formidabl* 
conspiracy. 

The  author  of  the  plot  was  Wingina,  who,  since  the  death  of  hia  :,roth«« 
Granganimeo,  had  taken  the  name  of  Pemisapan.  His  associates  were  Skyca 
and  Menatonon ;  and  these  two  chiefs,  pretending  friendship,  but  concealing 
under  its  mask  the  most  deadly  6nmity,  had  organized  the  plan  of  a  general 
massacre  of  the  colony.  The  design,  however,  was  betrayed  to  Lane  by  Skyco, 
who  had  become  attached  to  the  English  ;  and,  aware  of  the  necessity  of  takini; 
immediate  measures  before  Pemisapan  could  muster  his  forces,  the  governot 
({ave  instructions  to  seize  any  canoes  which  might  offer  to  depart  from  the  island. 


K^ii»i#Sbsv-: ,'  '■■-  ■:.  '/djSS^i^isisis^^i&aSSfeii^r-'*.!^^ 


OF  THK   AMKKICAN   liKVOl.lI'l'lO.N. 


47 


iler  a  inon 
iitcrruptcd 
(te|>arlure 
of  the  set- 
;i  boat  was 
ivages  lied 
Lriiyoil  the 
.livi's  ;  anil 
1  curiiiahty 

in  irons; 
;  a  hostage 
iruct.  but 
simulation, 
em  into  the 
hness  and 
B  robes  of 
3  bed4  and 
ibed  also  a 
[i  was  situ- 
r  to  copper, 

an  expe<li- 
ver,  of  the 
the   whole 
lanks ;  and 
ir  last  mor 
eachery  of 
o  proceed, 
ts'  country, 
which  they 
continued 
ht,  inde'ed, 
)gress   was- 
third  day, 
),  who  was 
e  imagined 
ely  time  to 
irrows  was 
the  sava 
tie  injury  ; 
homeward 
performed 
e  governor 
formidabl* 

lis  :rothc« 
irere  Skyca 
concealing 
a  general 
by  Skyco, 
ly  of  taking 
e  governot 
the  island. 


(n  executing  this  order,  two  natives  were  slain,  and  their  tnr'ieed  roiinirymen 
rose  in  a  l)i)('y,  and  aiir'inptfd  to  overpower  tlie  colonists,  but  were  instriiitly  din- 
persed.  Not  iiware,  however,  tliiit  his  secret  w;is  discovered  and  iireclinn  to 
consider  it  as  an  accident,  I'uniisapan  admitted  l.ane  and  his  otluers  to  an  >n- 
•  erview,  winch  proved  fatal  to  him.  The  \  imiiiian  tnoiiarch  was  st-ated  m 
■lite,  snrrouiuleil  by  seven  or  eijjht  of  his  principal  weroances.  or  hH;b  <J<iels ; 
Aiul  after  a  brief  debate,  upon  a  si)rrial  given,  the  Europeans  attacked  ibe  ruvul 
circle,  and  put  them  all  to  deatii. 

This  ahiriniiig  conspiracy  liad  scarcely  been  put  down,  when  the  natives  made 
a  second  attempt  to  get  rid  of  the  strangers,  by.  neglecting  to  sow  the  adjacent 
lands,  hoping,  in  this  manner,  to  compel  them  to  leave  the  country.  At  tins  de- 
cisive moment,  a  Heel  of  twenty-three  vessels  came  in  siglu,  which  turned  out 
to  be  the  siiuadron  of  Sir  Francis  Drake,  who  had  fortunately  (leteriniiieil  to  visit 
tlie  colony  of  iiis  friend  Sir  W  ilf  -r,  and  carry  home  news  of  their  coiiiliiion,  on 
his  return  from  an  expedition  against  the  settlements  in  the  Spani»<h  .Main.  It 
was  now  long  past  the  time  when  supplies  hau  been  e.xpected  from  England, 
and  Drake  generously  otlered  every  sort  of  provisions.  Lane,  however,  only 
reijuested  a  vessol  and  some  smaller  craft  to  carry  them  home,  which  was  im- 
mediately granted  ;  but  before  they  cov'd  tret  on  board,  a  dreadful  tempest,  which 
continued  for  four  days,  dashed  the  barks  intended  for  the  colonists  to  pieces, 
and  might  have  driven  on  shore  the  whole  tleet,  unless,  to  use  the  language  of 
the  old  despatch,  "  the  Lord  had  held  his  holy  hand  over  them."  Deprived  in 
this  way  of  all  other  prospect  of  return,  they  embarked  in  Sir  Francis's  fleet,  and 
arrived  in  England  on  the  27th  of  July,  1586. 

Scarcely,  however,  had  they  sailed,  when  the  folly  of  their  precipitate  con- 
clusion, that  Raleigh  had  forgotten  or  neglected  them,  was  inanilested  by  the 
arrival,  at  Roanoke,  of  a  vessel  of  one  hundred  tons,  amply  stored  with  every 
supply.  Deeply  disappointed  at  finding  no  appearance  ol  the  colony,  they 
sailed  along  the  coast,  and  explored  the  interior.  But  all  their  search  was  in 
vain,  and  they  were  compelled  to  take  their  departure  for  Lurope.  This,  liow- 
ever,  was  not  n'l.  Within  a  fortnight  afte  iiey  weighed  anchor,  .Sir  Richard 
(irenville,  with  three  well-appointed  vessels,  fitted  out  princi|ially  by  Raleigh, 
appeared  off  Virginia,  where,  on  landing,  he  found,  to  liis  astonishmeni,  every- 
thing deserted  and  in  ruins.  Having  made  an  unsuccessfid  etVorl  to  procure  in- 
lelligence  of  his  countrymen,  it  became  necessary  to  return  home.  IJiit,  unwil- 
ling to  abandon  so  promising  a  discovery,  he  left  behind  hiiii  fifteen  men.  with 
provisions  for  two  years,  and,  after  some  exploits  against  the  Spaniards  and  the 
Azores,  arrived  in  England. 

It  is  asserted  by  Camden,  that  tobacco  was  now,  for  the  first  time,  brought 
into  England  by  these  settlers,  and  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  Lane  had  been 
directed  to  import  it  by  his  master,  who  must  have  seen  it  used  in  France,  du- 
ring his  residence  therf  '''here  is  a  well-known  tradition,  that  Sir  Walter  first 
began  to  smoke  privately  u,  Ms  scudy,  and  the  servant  coming  in  with  his  tank- 
ard of  ale  and  nutmeg,  as  he  was  intent  upon  his  book,  seeing  the  smoke  issuing 
from  his  mouth,  threw  all  the  liquor  in  his  face  by  way  of  extinguishing  the  fire, 
and  running  down  stairs,  alarmed  the  family  with  piercing  cries,  that  his  nuister, 
before  they  could  get  up,  would  be  burnt  to  ashes.  "  And  this,"  continued  Oldys, 
'  has  nothing  in  it  more  surprising  than  the  mistake  of  those  Virginians  them 
selves,  who,  the  first  time  they  seized  upon  a  quantity  of  gun|)Owder,  which  be- 
longed to  the  English  colony,  sowed  it  for  grain,  or  the  see<l  of  some  strange 
fegetabl<3  in  the  earth,  with  full  expectation  of  reaping  a  plentiful  croji  of  com- 
bustion by  the  next  harvest,  to  scatter  their  enemies." 

Un  another  occasion,  it  is  said  that  Raleigh,  conversing  with  his  royal  mis- 
vess  upon  the  singular  properties  of  this  new  and  extraordinaiy  herb,  assurei) 


r 


48 


Tin:  I'lcTORiAi-  nisToiiY 


ber  that  he  hnd  so  well  oxj.t' .eiiccd  thf  nature  of  it  that  he  could  tell  her  the 
exact  w('i<{tii  ot'  llw  .smoke  in  anv  (iiianiitv  proposed  to  be  consumed,  ller 
majesty  iinmediatcly  ti.\e(l  lier  tlioujilits  upon  the  most  impracticable  part  of  the 
experiment,  that  ol'  boimdii.ir  the  smoke  in  a  balance  ;  .suspectiiiif  that  he  was 
playing  the  travidicr  wiih  iier,  and  iaymu  a  wai;er  lliat  lie  could  not  solve  tlie 
(ioulit.  Upon  tins  l{;ilfiij;h  selected  tlie  <]uantity  agreed  on,  and  having  tliorougiily 
nmoked  ii,  sei  iiimself  to  wciiihing — but  it  was  of  the  ashes;  and  in  conclusion 
demonstrating  to  tlie  cpieen  the  dill'i'rence  between  this  and  the  weight  of  the 
tobacco,  lier  maji'sty  could  not  deny  tlial  liiis  nuist  i)e  the  weight  of  what 
was  evaporated  in  smoke.  Upon  iliis.  Kli/alx^th,  paving  down  the  money,  re- 
marked, that  -slie  had  heard  of  many  laborers  in  the  fire  who  had  turned  iheii 
gold  into  smoke,  but  that  Ualeigh  was  certainly  the  first  who  had  turned  his 
smoke  into  gold. 

Raleigh,  howtner,  was  by  no  means  discouraged  by  the  unfortunate  results 
of  these  ".xpeditions  ;  but  aga'ii  turned  his  attention  to  his  Virginian  colony,  the 
I'ailure  ot  wiiich  was  rather  owing  to  the  precipitate  desertion  of  Lane,  than  to 
any  fault  in  the  original  plan  ;  and  he  determined   to  make   a   new   attempt   for 
the  settlement  of  a  country  which  held  out  so  many  encouragements  from  its  sa- 
lubrious climate  and  fertile  soil.      Hariot,  who  accompanied  Lane,  had  by  this 
time  published  his  "  True   Report  of  the   New-found   Land  of  Virginia,"  which 
created  much  speculation  ;  so  that  he  experienced  little  dilTiculty  in  procuring 
one  hundred  and  lifty  settlers.     He  appointed  as  governor,  -Mr.   John    White, 
with  twelve  assistants,  to  whom  he  gave  a  charter,  incorporating  them  by  the 
name  of  the  "  (Toveriior  and   Assistants  of  the  City  of  Raleigh  in   Virginia." 
These,  in  three  vessels,  furnished  jirincipally  at  his  own  expense,  sailed  from 
Portsmouth  on  the  twenty-sixth  of  April,  1587,  and  on  the  twenty-second  of 
July  anchored  in   Ilatorask  harbor.     White,  with  forty  men,  proceeded  in  the 
pinnace  to  Roanoke  to  confer  with  the   fifteen  colonists,  left  by  Sir  Richard 
Grenville  ;  but  tt  his  dismay  found  the  place  deserted,  and  human  bones  scat- 
tered on  the  beech  ;  the  r'lnains,  as  was  afterward  discovered,  of  their  country- 
men, all  of  whom  the  savuges  had  slain.     A  parly  then  hastened  to  the  fort  on 
the  north  side  of  the  island,     iiut  here  the  prospect  was  equally  discouraging 
No  trace  of  a  human  being  was  to  be  seen  ;  the  building  was  razed  to  the 
ground,  and  the  wild  deer  were  couching  in  the  ruined  houses,  and  feeding  on 
the  herbage  and  melons  which  had  overgrown  the  floor  and  crept  up  the  walls. 
Although  the  governor  held  Raleigh's  written  orders  to  make  the  settlement 
on  the  bay  of  Chesapeake,  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  that  plan,  and  commenced 
repairing  the  buildings  at  Roanoke.     But  disaster  attended  all  their  proceedings. 
Dissensions  broke  out  among  them  ;  and  White,  either  iVom  want  of  firmness, 
or  not  being  intrusted  with  sufficient  authority,  found  it  impossible  to  carry  on 
his  operations  with  success.     The  natives  of  Croatoan  were  friendly ;  those  of 
Secota  and   A(iuascogok,  who  had  murdered  the  former  colonists,  completely 
hostile  ;  but  all  were  clothed  alike  ;  and  belore  going  to  war,  the  Crotoans  anx- 
iously begged  for  some  badge  by  which  they  might  be  rccgnised.     In  the  con- 
fusion, this   was  neglected,  and   it  led   to  unhappy  consequences.     Howe,  an 
English  sailor,  while  engaged  in  fishinii;.  was  slain  by  tftie  savages,  being  pierced 
with  sixteen  arrows  ;  and  \\  uite,  having  in  vain   attt^ipted  to  open  a  pacific 
cominunication  with  the  weroa»«ee>  or  chief  men  of  Secota,  and  Pomeiock,  de- 
termined not  to  delay  his  res  en**       Giaide<l,  therefore,  by  Manteo,  he  set  out  at 
midnight,  with  Captain  Siaff»»ri:  and  twenty-four  men,  and  stealing  in  the  dark 
upon  tlie  natives  as  they  sat  r<uand  a  tire,  shot  some  of  them  dead  upon  the  spot, 
while  others  fled  shrieking  irwo  a  thicket,  and  one  savage,  who  knew  Staflbrd, 
rushed  up,  calling  out  his  name  and   embracing  his  knees.     To  the  grief  and 
horror  of  the  governor,  it  was  then  discovered  that  they  had  attacked  a  party  of 
friends  inst<»ad  of  enemues. 


(•F    llli:  AMKinCAN   REVOLirnON. 


49 


her  tlie 
(1.  Her 
rt  of  ttie 

he  \v:is 
olve  the 
orouiilily 
nc'.hisidii 
lit  of  tlia 

of  wlial 
ouoy.  re- 
It'll  theii 
inied  his 

e  resuhs 
•lony,  the 
■?,  than  to 
finpt  for 
)rn  its  sa- 
il l)y  this 
ii,"  which 
procuring 
II   White, 
Ml  by  the 
Virginia." 
liled  from 
second  of 
ed  in  the 
r  Richard 
ones  scat- 
r  country- 
he  fort  on 
couraging 
ed  to  the 
ceding  on 
le  walla, 
settlement 
jmmenced 
jceedings. 
firmness, 
carry  on 
those  of 
jompletely 
loans  anx- 
n  the  con- 
4owe,  an 
ng  pierced 
a  pacific 
leiock,  de- 
set  out  at 
the  dark 
m  the  spot, 
Stafford, 
grief  and 
party  of 


Soon  after,  Manteo,  in  obedi»'iice  to  italciyh's  tlirpciions  wa.s  chri^'lf'lu•(l,  and 
created  Lord  ol'  Rounoke  and  Da.samonwepuk  ;  while  Mrs.  Klt'nnor  Dare,  the 
wife  of  one  of  tiie  assistants,  having  nivcn  birth  to  a  daughter,  the  iil'ant  wiis 
named  Virginia,  being  the  first  Cliristian  born  in  th:it  country. 

White  was  now  an.xious  to  liillil  Sir  Walter's  instructions  ;  but  disputes  aro«e 
with  renewed  bitterness  among  the  settlers.  'I'lioiiu'li  they  were  not  in  wiuit  of 
stores,  many  deniaiided  permission  to  go  lioiii'! ,  otliers  viol'-iitly  opposed  tliis ; 
and  at  last,  after  stating  a  variety  of  projects,  all  joined  in  r«'(iuestiiig  the  gover- 
nor to  sail  for  Kiisjlaiid,  and  return  with  a  supply  of  everyitiing  reipiisite  lor  the 
estai)lishinent  of  ihu  colony.  To  this  he  relurtantly  consented  ,  ami  departii.g 
from  Roanoke  on  iho  twenty-seventh  of  .Vugust,  1587,  where  he  left  eigi.t-nine 
men,  seventeen  women,  and  eleven  children,  he  arrived  in  England  on  the  fift.hi 
ol'  iNovember. 

Our  limits  do  not  allow  us  to  follow  Sir  Walter  in  his  discovery  of  fiiiiana, 
and  voyage  up  the  Oronoko,  and  in  his  brave  exploits  against  the  llwetsof  I'hilip 
.if  Spain,  nor  in  the  vicissitudes  which  he  experienced  at  the  court  of  Elizabtith; 
at  one  time  we  find  him  enjoying  her  utmost  confidence,  exerting  his  iiiduence 
in  the  cause  of  benevolence  ;  and  it  is  reported,  that  Elizabeth,  somewhat  irri- 
tated by  his  applications  for  the  unfortunate,  on  his  telling  her  one  day  he  had  a 
favor  to  ask,  imi)aiiently  exclaimed  :  "  When,  Sir  Walter,  will  you  cease  to  be 
a  beggar  ?"  To  which  he  made  the  noted  answer,  "  When  your  gracious  maj- 
esty ceases  to  be  a  benefactor." 

Soon  after,  he  was  committed  to  the  tower  for  presuming  to  marry  without 
the  queen's  consent ;  he,  however,  was  again  restored  to  favor,  and  continued 
to  aid  the  state  by  his  services  and  counsel,  till  the  death  of  Elizaiieth,  in  1602. 

On  the  accession  of  James  to  the  throne,  Sir  Walter  was  not  only  treated  with 
coolness  and  neglect,  but  became  the  victim  of  a  conspiracy  ;  was  tried  for 
treason  against  the  crown,  fouiul  guilty,  and  condemned  to  death.  Having  been 
warned  to  prepare  for  execution,  he  sent  a  manly  and  affecting  letter  to  his  wife, 
from  which  the  following  is  an  extract : — 

"  When  1  am  gone,  no  doubt  you  shall  be  sought  to  by  many,  for  the  world 
thinks  I  was  very  rich.  But  take  heed  of  the  pretences  of  men,  and  their  affec- 
tions ;  for  they  last  not  but  in  honest  and  worthy  men,  and  no  greater  misery 
can  befall  you  in  this  life  than  to  become  a  prey,  and  afterward  to  be  despi.sed. 
I  speak  not  this,  God  knows,  to  dissuade  you  from  marriage  ;  for  it  will  be  best 
for  you,  both  in  respect  of  the  world  and  of  God.  As  for  me,  I  am  no  more 
yours,  nor  you  mine.  Death  lui»  iia  us  asunder,  and  God  hath  divided  me  from 
the  world,  and  you  from  in>  Remember  your  poor  child  for  his  father's  sake, 
who  chose  you  and  lov'd  you  m  his  happiest  time.  Get  those  letters,  if  it  be 
possible,  which  I  writ  ^i.  li^  lords,  wherein  I  sued  for  my  life.  God  is  my  wit- 
ness it  V  as  for  you  mmI  yu«..'s  that  I  desired  life.  I3ut  it  is  true  that  I  disdain 
ruyself  for  begging  ii  .  for  know  it,  dear  wife,  that  your  son  in  the  son  of  a  true 
man,  and  one  whit,  m  his  own  respect,  despiscth  death  in  all  iiis  misshapen  and 
ugly  forms.  I  cait  not  write  much.  God  he  knosvetii  now  hardly  1  steal  this 
ime  while  others  sleep  ;  and  it  is  also  high  time  that  I  should  separate  my 
thoughts  from  ibe  world.  Beg  my  dead  body,  which,  livihg,  was  denied  thee, 
and  either  leave  u  at  Sherborne,  if  the  land  continue,  or  in  Exeter  churcb,  by 
my  father  anu  mother.     I  can  say  no  more,  time  and  death  call  me  away. 

"The  everlasting,  powerful,  infinite,  ar.il  omnipotent  God,  wiio  is  goodness  it- 
self, the  true  life  and  true  light,  keep  thee  and  thine,  have  mercy  on  ine,  and 
leach  me  to  forgi\  e  my  persecutors  and  accusers,  and  send  us  to  meet  in  his 
glorious  kuigdom.  .Nly  dear  wife,  farewell !  Bless  my  [toot  boy  ;  pray  for  me 
and  let  my  good  God  hold  you  both  in  his  arms  I  Written  with  tlie  dying  hand 
of  some  time  thy  husband,  but  now,  alas  I  overthrown.  Vours  that  was,  bu 
now  not  my  own,  "  Raleioh  " 


I    I 


•£:..  # 


j„v 


.•/':h.3i^„ 


i'fi-^.  ia«X.Sd&^;v*.i;,{#jii^w^j.i^v5J^6^ia&^ 


' 


§ 

•M 


^ 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION.  51 

Sir  Walter,  however,  was  reprieved  at  this  time,  but  was  confined  in  the  tower 
for  many  years  after,  during  which  his  History  of  the  World  was  composed      Oc 
regaiuing  his  hberty,  in  1615,  a  new   expedition  to   Guiana  was  projected  of 
which  Raleigh  tooii  command,  but  it  was  unsuccesslul ;  and  on  his   return  to 
England,  he  was  again  arrested,  imprisoned,  and  executed.     His  conduct  while 
on  the  scaflbld,  was  extremely  Hrm.     The  morning  being  sharp,  the  sheriff  of- 
fered  to  bring  him  down  off  the  scaffold  to  warm  himself  by  the  fi.e  before  he 
should  say  his  pra.^  ers  ;  "  No,  good  Mr.  Sheriff,"  said  he,  •'  let  us  despatch  for 
within  this  quarter  ol  an  hour  my  ague  will  come  upon  me,  and  if  I  be  not  dead 
before  that,  mine  enemies  will  say  I  quake  for  fear."     He  then,  to  use  the  words 
ot  a  contemporary  and  eyewitness,  made  a  mosf  divine  and  admirable  prayer  • 
alter  which,  rising  up,  and  clasping  his  hands  together,  he  exclaimed  "  Now  I 
am  going  to  God  !"     The  scaffold  was  soon  cleared  ;  and  having  thrown  off  his 
gown  and  doublet,  he  bid  the  executioner  show  him  the  axe,  which  not  being 
done  immediately,  he  was  urgent  in  his  request.     "  I  prithee,"  said  he  "let  me 
see  It      Dost  thou  think  I  am  afraid  of  it  ?"     Taking  it  in  his  hand,  he  kissed 
the  blade  and  passing  his  finger  slightly  along  the  edge,  observed  to  the  sheriff 
"  Tis  a  sharp  medicine,  but  a  sound  cure  for  all  diseases."     He  then  walked 
to  the  corner  of  the  scaffold,  and  kneeling  down,  requested  the  people  to  pray 
for  him,  and  for  a  considerable  time  remained  on  his  knees  engaged  in  silent 
devotion  ;  after  which  he  rose,  and  carefully  examined  the  block,  laying  him- 
eelf  down  to  lit  it  to  his  neck,  and  to  choose  the  easiest  and  most  decent  attitude 
In  all  this  he  would  receive  no  assistance  ;  and  having  satisfied  himself,  he  rose 
and  declared  he  was  ready.     The  executioner  now  came  forward,  and  kneeling 
asked  his  forgiveness,  upon  which  Raleigh  laid  his  hand  smilingly  on  his  shoul' 
der,  and  bade  him  be  satisfied,  for  he  most  cheerfully  forgave  him,  only  entreat- 
ing him  not  to  strike  till  he  himself  gave  the  signal,  and  then  to  fear  nothing 
and  strike  home.     Saying  this,  he  lay  down  on  the  block,  and  on  being  directed 
to  place  himself  so  that  his  face  should  look  to  the  east,  he  answered,  "  It  mat- 
tered little  how  the  head  lay,  provided  the  heart  was  right."     After  a  little  while 
during  which  it  was  observed,  by  the  motion  of  his  lips  and  hands,  that  he  was 
occupied  in  prayer,  he  gave  the  signal ;  but  whether  from  awkwardness  or  agi- 
tation,  the  executioner  delayed  ;  upon  which,  after  waiting  for  a  short  time  he 
partially  raised  his  head,  and  said  aloud,  "  What  dost  thou  fear  ?  strike,  man  '" 
1  he  axe  then  descended,  and  at  two  strokes   the  head  was  severed  from  the 
lody,  which  never  shrunk  or  altered  its  position,  while  the  extraordinary  effusion 
oi  blood  evinced  an  unusual  strength  and  vigor  of  constitution,  though  when  he 
suffered.  Sir  Walter  was  in  his  sixty-sixth  year.     The  head,  after  being,  as 
usual,  held  up  to  the  view  of  the  people  on  either  side  of  the  scaffold,  was  'pu 
into  a  red  bag,  over  which  his  velvet  night-gown  was  thrown,  and  the   whole 
immediately  carritd  to  a  mourning-coach  which  was  waiting,  and  conveyed  to 
Lady  Ralaigh.     This  faithful  and  affectionate  woman,  whenever  married  again 
'.hough  she  survived  him  twenty-nine  years,  had  it  embalmed  and  preserved  in  a 
case,  which  she  kept  with  pious  solicitude  tili  her  death. 

The  body  was  buried  privately  near  the  \iigh  altar  of  St.  Margaret's  church 
in  Westminster,  but  no  stone  marks  the  spcl. 

^  VIII.  The  series  of  voyages  to  which  allusion  has  been  made,  conveyed  to 
England  a  much  higher  idea  than  had  yet  been  entertained  of  her  transaUaniic 
dominion.  It  was  found  to  include  a  range  of  territory  stretching  over  eleven 
degrees  of  latitude,  all  in  the  temperate  climates,  diversified  with  noble  rivers 
and  harbors,  and,  wherever  visited,  displaying  a  luxuriant  fertility.  This  pros- 
pect rekindled  all  the  enthusiasm  of  enterprise  and  hopes  of  wealth.  An  asso- 
ciation was  formed  by  Sir  Thomas  Gates,  Sir  George  Summers,  Wingfield,  Pop- 
bam.  with  other  men  of  rank,  and  eminent  merchants,  for  the  purpose  of  co'a- 


52 


THE   PICTORIAL    HISTORY 


nizinjf  this  /asi  region,  'amea  I.,  who  was  fond  of  such  undertakings,  and  had 
employed  them  successfully  for  the  improvement  of  some  rudt- r  parts  of  Scotland 
and  Ireland,  was  ready  to  give  every  encouraj^roment.  The  adsenturers  were 
divided  into  two  companies ;  the  one  from  London  for  the  southern,  the  other 
from  Bristol  and  the  west  for  the  northern  parts  of  Virginia.  The  former  were 
allowed  to  choose  any  spot  between  the  thirty-fourth  and  forty-first  dtjgrens  of 
latitude  ;  the  latter  between  the  thirty-eighth  and  forty-fifth.  Thre(!  degrees 
were  thus  common  between  both ;  but  collision  was  prevented  by  enacting  that 
wherever  one  had  fixed  its  seat,  the  others  should  choose  theirs  at  least  100 
miles  distant.  From  th;)t  first  station  each  company  was  to  possess  fifty  miles 
of  coast  on  each  side;  their  territory  was  thence  to  stretch  the  same  distance 
inland,  and  the  same  out  to  sea,  including  all  islands  within  the  range.  The 
coast  was  not  divided  between  the  companies,  nor  had  either  an  exclusive  right 
to  their  own  portions  beyond  the  space  of  100  miles  square,  which  they  were 
allowed  to  choose.  This  may  serve  to  acquit  successive  princes  of  the  repeated 
infractions  of  the  charter  with  which  they  have  been  charged.  Within  this 
range  the  r><^sociations  obtained  full  property  in  all  the  lands,  natural  resources 
and  objects  of  every  kind,  with  oidy  the  usual  exception  of  a  fifth  of  the  gold 
and  V  fifteenth  of  the  copper.  The  revenue  produced  by  fines  and  light  import- 
duties  was  to  be  enjoyed  by  them  for  twenty-one  years,  after  which  it  was  to  be 
paid  into  the  royal  treasury.  They  were  not,  however,  invested  with  those 
kingly  attributes  which  had  been  lavished  on  Raleigh.  James  lodged  the  gov- 
ernment in  two  councils,  one  resident  in  England,  the  other  in  the  colony,  and 
claimed  the  right  of  appointing  both ;  but,  having  exercised  it  in  regard  to  the 
first,  he  allowed  them  to  nominate  the  Virginian  members.  He  busied  himself 
moreover  in  preparing  a  code  of  "  orders  and  instructions,"  a  proceeding,  as  Mr. 
Chalmers  observes,  decidedly  unconstitutional,  but  controverted  by  no  one.  The 
colonists  and  their  posterity  were  declared  English  subjects,  yet  were  invested 
with  no  political  rights,  not  even  trial  by  jury,  unless  in  capital  charges  ;  minor 
oflfences  were  punished  arbitrarily  by  the  council.  The  English  church  was 
exclusively  established.  Strict  and  laudable  injunctions  were  given  for  the  mild 
and  equitable  treatment  of  the  natives. 

The  year  1606  was  spent  in  collecting  funds  and  adventurers,  which  last 
amounted  then  to  one  hundred  and  five,  including  persons  of  distinction,  particu- 
larly George  Percy,  brother  to  the  Earl  of  Northumberland.  There  were  also 
Gosnold  and  Mr.  Hunt  a  clergyman,  while  Captain  Newport,  an  officer  of  skill 
and  experience,  undertook  the  naval  command.  But  the  individual  destined  to 
3xercise  the  happiest  influence  on  the  new  colony  was  Captain  John  Smith, 
who  already,  in  the  Turkish  war,  had  displayed  a  firmness  and  intrepidity  pecu- 
liarly fitting  him  for  this  arduous  appointment.  The  fleet  of  three  vessels,  none 
exceeding  one  hundred  tons,  sailed  from  London  on  the  nineteenth  of  December, 
taking  again  the  circuitous  route  of  the  West  Indies,  rendered  necessary  perhaps 
through  the  lateness  of  the  season.  The  arrangements,  however,  had  been  in- 
judicious. James,  by  a  ridiculous  caprice,  had  caused  the  names  and  instruc- 
tions of  the  council  to  be  enclosed  in  a  box,  not  to  bo  opened  till  after  the  arrival 
in  Virginia  ;  and  thus  the  crew,  in  going  out,  knew  not  whom  to  obey.  The 
energy  of  Smith,  with  his  frank  and  manly  bearing,  soon  led  them  to  recognise 
him  as  their  leader.  This  was  envied  by  others  higher  in  rank,  who  charged 
him  with  a  design  to  set  aside  the  council,  to  usurp  the  government,  and  to  be- 
come king.  On  these  unsupported  charges  he  was  arrested,  and  confined  during 
the  voyage,  and  for  some  time  longer ;  so  that  his  services,  when  most  wanted, 
were  lost  to  the  colony. 

The  expedition  did  not  reach  the  coast  of  America  till  April,  1607,  and  in 
making  for  Roanoke,  a  violent  tempest  drove  them  quite  out  of  their  reckoning. 


.^&?:iS; 


''■M':.%^''!"A^'M!.&iS^^s^i'\l^!jh'->^'^ii^S^^;i 


i.rf-J;-',^vl,.>.iJVi,-- 


i^^^^ 


54 


THE  PICTORIAL   HISTORY 


Heing  tossed  about  sjevoral  ilays  without  sight  of  land,  the  became  de»ponden  , 
and  some  even  urged  to  return  'o  England.  Suddenly  they  came  in  viow  of  an 
unknown  pronujntory,  which  marked  the  entriMice  into  a  spacious  gUif.  This 
was  the  magnificent  opening  of  the  Chesapeake,  the  opposite  cape?  of  which 
were  named  after  the  young  princes,  Henry  and  Charles.  The  view  of  this 
coast  at  once  dispelled  their  gloom,  and  made  them  rejoice  in  their  ei.forced 
change  of  direction.  "  They  were  almost  ravished  with  the  sight  thereof.  It 
seemed  to  them  to  claim  the  prerogative  over  the  m.st  pleasant  places  in  the 
world.  Heaven  and  earth  seem  never  to  have  agreed  better  to  frame  a  place 
for  man's  commodious  and  delightful  habitatioa."  They  soon  reached  a  noble 
river,  which  tl  •  named  James,  and  after  ascending  and  examining  its  shores 
during  sevent-  a  days,  they  chose  for  their  colony  a  spot  fifty  miles  up,  and 
called  it  Jamestown.  The  difficulties  of  treating  with  the  natives  soon  began. 
The  very  first  night  "  came  the  savages  creeping  upon  all-fours  from  the  hills, 
like  bears,  with  their  bows  in  their  mouths."  These  they  discharged  against 
the  strangers  and  woimded  two ;  but  as  soon  as  "  they  had  felt  the  sharpness 
of  our  shot"  they  retreated  with  loud  cries  into  the  woods.  Afterward  five,  who 
were  met  near  Cape  Henry,  though  showing  some  signs  of  fear,  were  reassured 
by  seeing  "  the  captain  lay  his  hand  on  his  hea-  ,"  and  invite  them  across  the 
river  to  the  town.  Their  welcome  was  signally  expressed  "by  a  doleful  noise, 
laying  their  faces  to  the  ground,  and  scratching  the  earth  with  their  nails." 
Mats  were  then  spread  on  the  ground,  and  covered  with  maize-bread,  while  to- 
bacco was  presented,  with  long  ornamented  pipes.  They  then  danced  for  the 
amusement  of  their  guests,  shouting,  howling,  and  stamping,  "  with  many  antic 
tricks  and  laces,  making  noise  like  so  many  wolves  or  devils."  The  English 
received  a  pressing  invitation  from  a  great  indian  chief,  the  weroanee  of 
Rappahana,  whom  they  found  rich  in  rude  ornament,  his  person  painted  red  and 
blue,  with  various  embellishments,  seemingly  of  pearl  and  silver,  and  a  metal 
which  was  either  copper  or  gold.  "  He  entertained  us  in  so  modest  a  proud 
fashion,  as  though  he  had  been  a  prince  of  civil  goveriimeni "  His  palace,  on 
a  hill  watered  by  fine  springs,  was  surrounded  by  as  rich  corn-fields  as  they  had 
ever  seen. 

As  soon  as  the  party  had  landed,  the  box  of  instructions  was  opened,  and  the 
names  of  the  council  weie  found,  including  Smith  ;  who,  though  he  was  kepi 
out  by  the  jealousy  of  his  rivals,,  nevertheless  accompanied  Newport  up  the  river, 
as  high  as  the  great  .''alls,  where  they  visited  Powhatan,  a  sort  of  petty  emperoi 
over  all  the  surrounding  tribes.  Smith  reckons  them  at  7,000,  of  whom  neany 
2,000  were  warriors  ;  but  he  never  saw  more  than  700  together.  Powhatan 
received  them  well ;  and  when  some  of  his  people  murmured  at  the  land  being 
tlius  occupied  by  a  party  of  strangers,  he  replied,  it  was  only  waste  ground,  and, 
80  long  as  they  injured  no  one,  they  .vere  welcome. 

On  their  return  to  Jamestown  affairs  were  found  in  evil  plight.  The  colonists, 
not  we  fear  without  blame,  had  incurred  the  hostility  of  the  savages,  while  they 
neglected  to  fortify  their  position.  A  general  attack,  which  was  made,  was  re- 
pulsed with  great  difficulty,  seventeen  being  wounded,  and  one  boy  killed.  By 
great  exertion,  about  the  middle  of  June,  a  palisaded  fort  was  erected,  secure 
against  those  rude  assailants,  who,  however,  continued  to  hover  round,  cutting 
oir  stragglers,  and  obliging  the  settlers  to  keep  constant  watch.  The  charges 
against  Smith  were  still  pressed,  and  a  party  wished  to  send  him  to  England . 
but  he,  loudly  demanding  a  trial  on  the  spot,  was  supported  by  a  majority  of  the 
colonists.  He  was  triumphantly  acquitted,  and  Wingfield,  his  accuser,  i  on 
demn<  J  to  pay  him  a  fine  o''  t"200,  which  he  generously  threw  into  the  common 
Btock.  Mr.  Hunt,  the  cleif,vman,  succeeded  in  producingatleastanappearar.ee 
of  harmony,  cemented  by  partaking  together  the  Christian  commcaion. 


iS^^^Mm 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION.  39 

c>n  tl.e  15th  June,  Newport  with  the  vessels  sailed  for  England,  leaving  the 
»e  tiers  in   he  midst  c,l  that  vast  wiLh-m.-ss  which  they  had  undertaken  to  ^ulti- 

TIJa   ''I'A  "'."■'"  rV''  ^'■f'l" "  ^'"P*'  ^'""^  ^'-"^  '"'^'1  them  thither  quickly 
vanished       The  iru.  fulness  of  the  soil  indeed  fully  equalled  expectation  ;  but  a'l 

;  ITiM  InT^'  ^^  T  1"^  -r^"  '^  ^/  ""^'^"  '"P''^^^  '''■  producing  individua  wealth 
«a8stiltobecrrated.  I  he  and  required  not  only  a  laborious  culture,  for 
which  they  were  little  prepared ;  but  a  still  harder  task  remained,  that  of  hew 
n.g  down  he  lorcst  which  covere>'.  the  whole  of  it.  By  an  unhappy  arranVe- 
mcnt  al  the  produce  for  the  first  five  years  wa^  .0  be  il  co^STZ  dSL- 
ird  by  the  council  according  to  their  respective,  warns.  But,  as  Chalmers 
«l|rewd ly  observes,  "  when  men  are  not  to  profit,  they  will  labor  little  :  and 
•irr-'     r'^  a  common  granary,  few  will  concern  themselves  how  it  is 

lilled.       Raising  scarcely  any  crop  th.  first  year,  they  were  dependant  on  the 
M'ppaes  from  home   which  had  been  much  diminish.,!  during  thS  long  voyage 

ol'irnnS  ,'°    T  ^u   r '-^'"""y  "'■  '"'■•^'""^  ^"^'"y-     ^  slender  Allowance' 
IrT^  ""^h°'*'«°'"'^.  f°«'l'  baJ  river-water,  and  exposure  to  a  new  climate,  soon 
spread  disease  so  widely,  that  there  were   often   not  ten  men  fit  for  seVvice 
here  were  never,"  says   Percy,  "  Englishmen   left  in  a  foreign  country  in 
Mr.h  misery  as  we  were."     Before  autumn,  fifty  died,  nearly  half^heirnu^ber 

ra  Ij  arose  ;  Wingfield,  the  president,  was  accused  of  living  in  plenty  while 
others  were  perishing  and  even  of  meditating  a  .ieparture.     On  these  'charges 

ner  r.ft*^r°' H  1""^  ^'"  P'"'"  '"''P'''''^  '^^  ^^''^'^''  ^h°'  ^^ing  of  an  easy  tern- 
per  left  the  whole  management  to  .Smith,  which  was  what  the  colonists  desired. 

.Jr!!h  f  1-Tu  J"'^^  <=«"S'Jered  sustenance  the  most  important  object,  in 
hrl^^'l  •  P™^^'^^.'!  ^"h  ^  P='"y  down  the  river.  The  native,  treated 
them  with  derision,  "  as  famished  m...,  and  h„lding  out  morsels  of  bread,  asked 


yio.  23.— Indimi  Wurrin  . 
fur  thein  swords,  muskets,  and  other  valuables."     lJnal>l,'   t.i   succeed   by  laii 
nicans,  ho  discharged  a  volley,  which  caused  them  inmiediaiely  to  seek  tu« 
shelter  of  the  woods.     Landing  at  a  village,  he  found  food  in  abundance  ;  bw 


\:^'^- 


96 


THE  PICTORIAI.  HISTORY 


forbade  his  people  to  eucuniber  themselves  with  it,  foreseeing  the  iminediite  re- 
turn  of  the  Indians.  Accordingly  there  soon  issued  forth,  amid  hideous  noises, 
sixty  or  seventy  painted  savages'  bearing  in  front  their  okee,  an  image  of  skins 
stuffed  with  moss,  and  hung  with  copper  chains.  They  advanced  upon  the 
English,  but  met  so  kindly  a  reception,  that  "  down  fell  their  god,'  divers  of  his 
worshippers  lay  sprawling,  and  the  rest  disappeared.  Their  spirit  being  now 
humbled,  they  sent  presently  a  venerable  character,  a  qniyoughcasuck,  to  treat 
for  peace,  and  for  the  restoration  of  their  idol.  Smith  answered,  that  if  they 
would  load  his  boat,  they  should  be  welcome  not  only  to  their  okee,  but  to  a 
stock  of  beads,  hatchets,  and  other  valuables.  They  cheerfully  assented,  and 
amidst  singing  and  dancing  brought  not  only  the  stipulated  grain,  but  presents 
of  turkey,  ve"i&.        nd  wild  fowl. 

Smith  return--  .st  in  time  to  prevent  VVingfield  and  another  from  seizing  a 
vessel  and  saili.  ^  to  England.  His  supplies,  with  the  flocks  of  water-fowl  which 
came  at  the  approach  of  winter,  relieved  their  wants  ;  and  having  in  his  rambles 
discovered  the 'great  river  Chickahominy,  he  determined  to  explore  it  to  its 
source,  not,  it  is  said,  without  a  hope  of  thereby  reaching  the  South  sea,  viewed 
then  as  the  grand  source  of  wealth.  He  was  impelled,  it  was  imagined,  by  the 
taunts  of  some  of  his  enemies  in  the  colony,  but  we  rather  think  only  by  his  own 
adventurous  spirit.  He  ascended  first  in  his  barge,  then  in  a  canoe,  and  twenty 
miles  on  foot  attended  only  by  his  Indian  guides.  But  three  hundred  natives, 
who  had  traced  his  steps,  surprised  and  dispersed  his  party,  and  then  came  sud- 
denly upon  himself.  He  made  astonishing  efforts  for  safety,  and  fastening  with 
his  garters  a  native  lly  to  his  person,  presented  him  to  the  enemy  as  a  buckler  , 
then  he  ran  to  the  canoe,  which  he  would  have  reached,  had  he  not  suddenly 
sunk  in  a  deep  morass,  where  he  was  overtaken,  and,  to  escape  from  perishing 

with  cold,  obliged  to  surrender.  •    i     u   i 

He  had  now  reason  to  consider  his  last  hour  approaching,  and  a  circle  haU 
in  fact  been  formed  to  shoot  him.     With  characteristic  presence  of  mmd  he 
asked  for  the  chief,  showed  his  compass-dial,  pointed  out  its  singular  movements, 
and  endeavored  to  explain  the  corresponding  phenomena  of  the  earth  and  sky. 
Whether  they  understood  these  indications  or  not,  they  were  awed  with  aston 
ishment  as  if  admitted  to  contemplate  a  supernatural  object.     On  a  signa    'rom 
their  leader,  they  laid  down  their  bows  and  arrows,  and  led  him  imde.  strict 
guard  to  their  capital.     He  was  there  exhibited  to  the  women  and  children  ;  and 
a  wild  war-dance   was  performed  round  him,  in  fantastic  measures,  and  with 
frightful  yells  and  contortions.     He  was  then  shut  up  in  a  long  house,  and  sup- 
plied at  every  meal  with  as  much  bread  and  venison  as  would  have  dined  twenty 
men  ;  but,  receiving  no  other  sign  of  kindness,  he  began  to  dread  that  they  were 
fattening  in  order  to  eat  him.     Even  without  such  a  precise  purpose,  this  festive 
entertainment  is  known  among  savages  to  be  no  uncommon  prelude  to  torture 
and  death.     They  asked  his  aid  in  reducing  Jamestown,  while  he  sought  an  op- 
portunity of  making  his  way  thither      In  the  course  of  this  manoeuvring,  a  nies- 
sage  sent  to  that  place  gave  him  an  opportunity  to  display  the  powers  of  writing, 
which  was  considered  by  them  as  a  species  of  magical  sp^ll.     At  length,  after 
being  paraded  and  exhibited  in  various  villages,  he  was  led  to  Pamunkey,  the 
residence  of  Powhatan.     It  was  here  his  doom  was  sealed.     The  chief  received 
him  in  pomp,  wr  pt  in  a  spacious  robe  of  rackoon  skins,  with  all  the  tails  hanging 
down.     Behind  appeared  two  long  lines  of  men  and  women,  with  faces  painted 
red,  lieads  decked  with  white  down,  and  necks  quite   encircled  by  chains  of 
beads.     A  lady  of  rank  presented  water  to  wash  his  hands,  another  a  bunch  of 
feathers  to  dry  them.     A  long  deliberation  was  then  held,  and  the  result  proved 
fatal.     Two  large  stones  were  placed  before   Powhatan,  and  by  the  united  ef 
forts  of  the  attendants  Smith  was  dragged  to  the  spot,  his  head  laid  on  one  of 


ninediite  re« 
cous  noises, 
age  of  skins 
Bii  upon  the 
divers  of  liia 
t  being  now 
suck,  to  treat 
,  that  if  they 
ee,  but  to  a 
issented,  and 
but  presents 

om  seizhig  a 
;r-fowl  which 
n  his  rambles 
ore  it  to  its 
li  sea,  viewed 
gined,  by  the 
ly  by  his  own 
e,  and  twenty 
dred  natives, 
len  came  sud- 
astening  with 
as  a  buckler , 
not  suddenly 
rom  perishing 

a  circle  had 
e  of  mind  he 
ir  movements, 
larth  and  sky. 
id  with  aston 
a  signa'  »"rom 
1  undck  strict 
children ;  and 
ires,  and  with 
3use,  and  sup- 
3  dined  twenty 
that  they  were 
se,  this  festive 
iide  to  torture 
!  sought  an  op- 
uvring,  a  mes- 
rers  of  writing, 
.t  length,  after 
Pamunkey,  the 
chief  received 
B  tails  hanging 
I  faces  painted 

by  chains  of 
ler  a  bunch  of 
e  result  proved 
the  united  ef 
[aid  on  one  of 


:^«r^J:a^^Bi,^ry.^6»itt*i*SSkWiii&i^^ 


THE    PICTORIAL    HISTORY 


Fio.  26  —Portrait  of  PochahontM 

them,  and  the  mighty  club  was  raised,  a  few  blows  of  which  were  to  terminate 
his  life  In  this  last  extremity,  when  every  hope  seemed  past,  a  very  unex- 
pected interposition  took  place.  Pocahontas,  the  youthful  and  favorite  datightei 
of  this  savage  chief,  was  seized  with  those  tender  emotions  which  form  the  or- 
nament of  her  sex.  Advancing  to  her  father,  she  in  the  most  earnest  terms 
supplicated  mercy  for  the  stranger:  and  though  ail  her  entreaties  were  lost  on 
that  saiage  heart,  her  zeal  only  redoubled.  She  ran  to  Smith,  took  his  head  in 
her  arms,  laid  her  own  upon  it,  and  declared  that  the  first  death-blow  must  fail 
upon  her.  The  barbarian's  breast  was  at  length  softened,  and  the  life  of  the 
Englishman  was  spared. 

Our  adventurer,  being  naturally  expected  to  render  some  services  in  return 
for  so  great  a  boon,  employed  himself  in  making  hatchets,  beads,  and  other  orna- 
ments for  the  father  and  daughter.  At  the  end  of  two  days  he  was  conducted 
into  a  large  house,  where,  amid  hideous  and  doleful  noises,  Powhatan  rushefl 
in  with  two  hundred  attendants,  strangely  disguised  and  their  faces  blackened 


e  to  termi/iate 
a  very  unex* 
orite  daughtei 
h  form  the  or- 
earnest  terms 
were  lost  on 
)k  his  head  in 
ilow  must  fall 
he  life  of  the 

ices  m  return 
ind  other  orna- 
vas  conducted 
vhatan  rushed 
;cs  blackened 


SI 


f«HS^*to*-= 


b^lS*^" 


!i*«igfe»K-*o^«S5*(3«^s^»^lKS»iii3li^^ 


69 


THE    PICTORIAL    HISTORY 


Smith  again  ilioujiht  his  last  hour  had  come,  but  the  chief  announced  these  ai 
signs  of  peace  and  friendship ;  and  he  was  forthwith  sent  to  Jumestown  on  the 
sole  condiiion  of  transmitting  thence  two  culverins  and  a  millstone,  a  promise 
faithfully  fulfilled. 

He  agaiv  arrived  at  a  critical  moment.  A  majority  of  the  colonists,  impatient 
of  continued  hard.ship  and  privation,  had  determined  to  prepare  a  pinnace,  and 
set  sail  for  'heir  native  country.  He  look  the  most  energetic  steps  to  arrest  this 
course,  having,  with  the  aid  of  some  faithful  adherents,  pointed  a  gun  at  the  ves- 
sel, and  declared  she  must  either  stop  or  sink.  A  conspiracy  was  then  formed 
against  him  ;  but  by  his  vigdance  f  >>  detected  it,  and  sent  the  ringleaders  to 
England.  The  fair  Pocahontas  continued  her  generous  kindness,  and  came 
every  four  or  five  days  with  provisions,  which  relieved  their  wants  and  revived 
their  spirits.  They  were  soon  still  farther  cheered  by  the  arrival  of  Captain 
Newport,  with  one  hundred  and  twenty  emigrants  and  liberal  supplies.  The 
company,  however,  now  impatiently  endured  their  heavy  expenses,  and  the  ab- 
sence of  all  prospect  of  marketable  returns.  Gold  was  still  viewed  as  the  main 
source  of  wealth,  and  many  of  the  new-comers  had  been  selected  on  account  of 
their  supposed  skill  in  its  discovery.  Naturally  desiring  to  satisfy  their  em- 
ployers, they  thought  they  perceived  in  a  certain  yellow  glittering  earth  this 
precious  ore.  Thenceforth  all  sober  industry  was  thrown  aside :  "  Dig  gold, 
wash  gold,  refine  gold,"  was  the  universal  cry.  Smith  lamented  to  see  the 
whole  attention  of  the  settlers  attracted  by  this  "  gilded  dirt,"  but  could  not  pre- 
vent them  from  putting  a  large  portion  on  board,  and  some  time  elapsed  before 
they  were  apprized  tliat  a  skilful  examination  had  proved  it  utterly  worthless. 
Fortunately  perhaps,  no  rumor  seems  ever  to  have  reached  them  of  the  real  gold 
in  the  mountainous  country,  whence  they  were  indeed  more  distant  than  the  first 
colonists 

Newport,  on  learning  the  friendly  intercourse  with  Powhatan,  sent  liberal 
presents,  and  was  invited  to  visit  that  savage  potentate.  He  found  the  monarch 
surrounded  by  twenty-two  fair  ladies,  lavishly  painted  and  decked  with  beads. 
A  courteous  traffic  was  opened,  in  which  Smith  considered  the  captain  as  over- 
reached, particularly  in  afterward  acceding  to  a  request  for  twenty  swords,  dan- 
gerous weapons  to  put  into  such  hands.  The  latter,  after  remaining  fourteen 
weeks,  departed  without  being  able  to  collect  any  other  cargo  besides  cedar 
wood,  and  the  yellow  earth  of  which  such  illusory  hopes  were  entertained. 

Smith  now  undertook  the  important  task  of  exploring  the  Chesapeake  to  its 
head,  not  only  with  the  view  of  tracing  the  limits  of  the  colony,  but  still  more 
from  the  hope  of  an  inlet  opening  into  the  South  sea,  and  aflbrding  a  passage  tc 
India.  In  a  small  barge  of  only  two  tons,  he  steered  across  to  Cape  Charles, 
and  be^an  to  survey  the  eastern  shore.  Here,  and  at  other  places,  he  had  sharp 
conflicts  with  the  natives  ;  and,  we  suspect,  did  not  altogether  follow  that  con- 
ciliatory course  ascribed  to  him  by  his  panegyrists.  On  meeting  any  new  tribe, 
his  first  step  is  stated  to  have  been  to  demand  their  arms  and  one  of  their  chil- 
dren ;  and,  on  refusal,  they  were  treated  as  enemies.  It  can  not  surely  appear 
surprising  that  there  should  have  been  some  hesitation  in  complying  with  such 
requisitions.  In  general  the  people  received  the  English  with  much  surprise, 
asking  "  what  they  were,  and  what  they  would."  Finding  the  eastern  coast 
obstructed  by  rocks  and  other  diflliculties,  he  crossed  to  the  western  and  pro- 
ceedefl  upward.  The  men,  however,  tired  with  twelve  days'  rowing,  and  find- 
ing their  bread  wet  and  spoiled,  became  extremely  discontented.  He  endeav- 
ored to  rouse  them  to  an  emulation  of  Lane's  crew  and  their  canine  diet,  but 
was  soon  obliged  to  yield  and  return.  Proceeding  along  an  unexplored  part  of 
the  western  coast,  they  came  unexpectedly  i^non  the  magnificent  estuary  of  the 
Potomac,  seven  miles  broad  ;  and  this  giand    )bject   reviving  their  spirits  and 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  KEVOMiriON. 


di 


'i\  these  ai 
own  on  the 
,  a  promise 

,s,  impatient 
iniiace,  and 
,0  arrnst  this 
I  at  the  ves- 
then  formed 
igleaders  to 
I,  and  came 
and  revived 
of  Captain 
plies.  The 
and  the  ab- 
as the  main 
I  account  of 
Y  their  em- 
;  earth  this 
"Dig  gold, 
to  see  the 
luld  not  pre- 
ipsed  before 
y  worthless, 
the  real  gold 
than  the  first 

,  sent  liberal 
die  monarch 

with  beads, 
tain  as  over- 
swords,  dan- 
ling  fourteen 
isides  cedar 
;rtained. 
ipeake  to  its 
lut  still  more 

a  passage  tc 
ape  Charles, 

he  had  sharp 
ow  that  con- 
my  new  tribe, 
of  their  chil- 
surely  appear 
ng  with  such 
iuch  surprise, 
eastern  coast 
em  and  pro- 
ving, and  find- 
He  endeav- 
nine  diet,  but 
plored  part  of 
estuary  of  the 
ir  spirits  and 


energiej,  they  cheerfully  undertook  to  ••xplori'  it.  Tlioy  ascended  as  high  as 
the  barge  could  carry  thoni,  and  then  inadt'  a  journey  l)y  land.  Mr.  Bancroft 
lais  traced  them  beyond  the  future  site  of  Washington  U>  the  falls  above  Heorge- 
town.  Thev  wore  led  to  a  mine  of  a  substance  like  antimony,  which,  though 
black,  glittered  like  silver,  and  was  believed  by  some  to  contain  a  large  portion 
of  that  metal  ;  biu,  on  being  examined,  it  proved  of  no  value  whatever.  After 
escaping  several  ambuscades  laid  by  the  natives,  they  made  a  short  survey  of 
ihe  Kappaliiinnock,  and  then  returned  to  Jamestown. 

Smith,  having  been  prevented  from  reaching  the  head  of  this  great  inlet,  set 
out  afresh  in  a  few  days  for  that  desiination.  He  accordingly  made  his  way 
iliither,  and  ascended  the  Susquehanna,  till  stopped  by  the  cataracts.  Having 
lt;arned  that  two  days'  journey  higher  there  was  a  powerful  people  named  the 
Sasqnesahanocks,  he  sent  a  message  requesting  a  visit.  After  an  interval  of 
nearly  a  week  there  appeared  sixty,  a  giant-like  race,  with  presents  of  arms, 
venison,  and  tobacco-pipes  nearly  three  feet  long ;  and  their  deportment  was 
quite  peaceable  and  courteous.  He  then  returned  to  Jamestown,  examining  in 
his  way  the  river  Patuxent.  This  voyage  of  about  three  thousand  miles,  per- 
formed by  twelve  men  in  a  small  open  barge,  "  with  such  watery  diet,  in  those 
great  waters  and  barbarous  countries,"  was  extremely  creditable  to  the  parties. 
Although  unproductive  as  to  the  South  sea  or  to  gold,  it  made  an  important  ad- 
dition to  the  knowledge  of  this  part  of  America. 

On  his  arrival,  Smith  was  installed  as  president,  and  began,  with  character- 
istic activity,  to  improve  the  buildings,  strengthen  the  forts,  and  train  the  men  to 
military  exercises  ;  but  he  was  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  Newport  with  a 
fresh  colony  of  about  seventy,  including  two  females.  The  company  having 
spent  at  least  jC2,000  in  the  equipment, »  xpressed  an  earnest  desire  and  expect- 
ation of  being  somewhat  reimbursed.  They  pointed  out  particularly,  as  objects 
'.0  be  attained,  a  lump  of  gold,  the  discovery  of  the  South  sea,  or  a  member  of 
Raleigh's  lost  company.  The  second  being  seemingly  the  main  object,  a  bark 
was  sent  in  frame  to  ascend  one  of  the  great  rivers,  to  be  thence  carried  over  the 
mountains,  and  launched  on  a  stream  flowing  into  the  Pacific.  In  estimating 
the  want  of  geographical  knowledge  which  this  scheme  displayed,  we  must  al- 
low for  their  imperfect  resources.  The  discoveries  of  Drake  and  Cavendish 
could  not  yet  be  connected  with  the  eastern  side  of  America.  The  impression 
probably  was,  that  the  moderate  breadth  of  the  continent  in  Mexico  would  be 
prolonged  northward  ;  while  in  point  of  fact  the  idea  of  wealth  attached  to  the 
South  sea  was  founded  on  vague  and  illusory  associations.  Its  shores  in  Mexico 
and  Peru  were  indeed  rich  in  the  precious  metals  ;  but  this  afforded  no  presump- 
tion as  to  what  might  be  the  productions  of  a  more  northern  latitude.  As,  in 
furtherance  of  this  object,  Powhatan's  favor  was  to  be  courted,  there  had  been 
sent  handsome  presents,  with  materials  to  crown  him  with  splendor  in  the  Euro- 
pean style.  Smith  viewed  the  Pacific  and  the  coronation  of  Powhatan  as  alike 
absurd  ;  but  was  obliged  to  yield  to  Newport,  who  came  with  instructions  direct 
from  the  company.  With  only  four  companions  he  courageously  repaired  to 
the  residence  of  the  monarch,  inviting  him  to  come  and  be  crowned  at  James- 
'own.  The  party  were  extremely  well  received,  though  once  they  heard  in  the 
djoining  wood  outcries  so  hideous  as  made  them  flee  to  their  arms ;  but  Poca- 
hontas assured  them  they  had  nothing  to  fear.  Accordingly,  there  issued  thence 
thirty  damsels  of  such  strange  aspect  that  he  uncourteously  terms  them  fiends. 
They  were  covered  only  wi  h  green  leaves  bedaubed  with  shining  colors,  the 
leader  wearing  on  her  forehead  a  pair  of  stag's  horns.  For  an  hour  they  danced 
round  the  fire,  with  wild  shouts  and  strange  contortions.  They  then  retired ; 
and  the  table  was  spread  with  an  abundance  of  savag  dainties,  when  the  ladies 
with  whom  he  hoped  to  have  done,  rushed  in,  and,  crowding  round  him.  lavished 


i^«!i»£«^.-jsai 


M'MM^^»i»W 


OF  THK   AMKIUCAN   UKVDMITION. 


6S 


xm 


i^H 


'■<r-:i 


m  ■»! 


fomplimonts  witJi  which  In-  woulil  liave  jflaiUy  ilispciised,  each  calliitg  out, 
"  liovn  you  not  1110  ?"  \V  iicii,  liowfvcr,  thi'  uiis()|»hi.siicat«'(l  monarch  received 
the  invitation.  \n'  [):()U(lly  replied,  "  It'  your  kiny  has  sent  mo  presents.  1  also 
am  a  kintf,  ami  \\\n  is  my  land — your  lather  is  to  come  up  to  me,  not  1  to  him." 

Ne\v|Mirt  was  no;  discouratred  ;  hut,  lakiiiK  with  him  Smith  and  til'iy  men,  re- 
paired to  this  sylvan  ttMirt.  'I'he  coronation  took  place  ;  hut  I'owhatan  'ippeara 
to  have  heeii  more  surprised  than  delisjhted.  Ho  made  a  dilficultv  (neii  in  put- 
lint;  on  the  scarlet  dress  from  a  fear  of  some  magical  ellect.  lie  slr«  iinouslv 
ohjected  to  kneelmn  ;  on  which  they  lonu  altsiirdly  insisted,  hut  were  oldined  to 
be  contented  with  his  mertdy  hendinj;  the  shoulders.  A  volley  fired  at  the 
close  made  him  start  up  in  alarm,  hut  he  soon  reco'vered  his  composure. 

The  king  assured  them  that  all  their  ideas  of  a  salt  water  beyond  the  mom  i- 
ains  were  erroneous,  and  refused  (guides  for  so  wild  n  search.  Newport,  how 
^!ver,  goaded  probably  by  his  emi)loy(!rs,  set  out,  leavini;  .Smith  at  Jamestown 
The  party  ascended  to  the  falb,  aiul  even  forty  miles  farther  by  land.  Finding, 
however,  provisions  scanty,  iuul  their  toils  always  increasing,  they  commenced 
a  retreat  before  they  had  reached  the  Allegany.  'I'hey  returned  to  the  town, 
oppressed  "  with  t(»il,  famine,  and  discontent ;"  and  the  chimera  of  the  South 
sea  was  finally  relinquished. 

Meantime  all  hands  were  employed  in  preparing  some  kind  of  cargo  that 
might  not  wholly  disappoint  the  company  ;  but  this  was  very  ditnc  It.  Persons 
had  been  sent  over  to  teach  the  art  of  making  pitch,  tar,  glass,  and  ashes,  ob- 
jects unfit  for  so  distant  a  market ;  however  some  specimens  were  prepared. 
The  larger  number  applied  themselves  to  the  cutting  of  timber  for  boanls  and 
wainscot ;  and  even  the  gentlemen  endeavored  to  make  an  amusei  ent  of  thS 
Uard  task.  Thus  a  cargo  was  at  length  made  up,  though  its  value  little  accordeti 
with  expectation. 

Smith,  having  despatched  the  vessel,  applied  himself  to  tlie  procuring  of  food. 
In  this  search  he  employed  an  unjustifiable  violence  toward  the  Indians,  and 
lormed  a  plot  for  seizing  the  person  of  Powhatan,  with  whom  the  colonists  'i.n; 
long  been  in  amity.  As  a  preparation  he  sent  six  men.  four  of  them  Germ  ns, 
'o  build  for  him  a  sylvan  palace.  These  persons,  however,  being  extremely 
well  treated,  became  attached  to  their  host,  and  betrayed  to  him  the  meditated 
conspiracy.  Powhatan,  though  highly  incensed,  was  unwilling  to  encoimter 
the  English  in  open  war,  but  dissembling,  endeavored  to  catch  the  president  in 
his  own  toils.  When  the  larner,  therefore,  approached  with  a  large  party,  he 
declined,  on  plausible  pretences,  to  receive  theiri  armed.  Smith  replied  in  a 
similar  tone  ;  and  there  began  between  the  two  a  game  of  courtesy  and  treach- 
ery, in  v'hich,  however,  the  savage  proved  the  better  performer.  Not  only  was 
the  Englishman  foiled,  but  was  himself  repeatedly  in  danger,  and  once  only 
saved  by  a  second  interposition  of  Pocahontas,  who,  at  the  risk  of  her  father's 
displeasure,  ran  through  the  woods  in  a  dark  night  to  give  him  warning.  At 
anothi?r  time  he  was  surrounded  by  a  large  body  under  Powhatan's  brotiier,  but 
e.vtricated  himself  by  energy  and  address.  In  this  way,  however,  he  had  placed 
his  countrymen  in  a  position  of  rooted  enmity  with  the  native  vViich  continued 
to  produce  distressing  consequences. 

Meantime  events  occurred  at  home  deeply  affecting  the  interest  of  the  colony. 
.\lthough  the  company  had  been  disappointed  of  their  expected  returns,  the  ac- 
counts of  the  extent,  beauty,  and  fertility  of  the  regions  just  discovered,  kindled 
in  that  enterprising  age  an  extraordinary  enthusiasm.  I  umphlets  were  publish- 
ed. ai)parentiy  on  high  authority,  painting  it  as  completely  an  earthly  paradise. 
On  a  larger  scale,  and  under  more  enlightened  views,  it  was  hoped  that  the  er- 
rors which  had  cramped  its  progress  would  be  avoided.  Many  distinguished 
'ndividuals  were  readv  *o  embark  their  fortunes  in  this  enterprise  ;  and,  witb 


if/.^M«' 


fe:i^Sii^i»!M^!lS&ii,&ffe^*ii-*is^^'.i^^ 


64 


THE  PICTOUIAL    HISTOR\ 


Jie  consent  of  the  old  members,  the  company  was  remodelled  on  a  larger  scale 
and  under  a  new  charter.  Their  territory  was  augmented  from  the  former  one 
hundrtMl  miles  of  coast  to  four  hundred  ;  being  two  hundred  on  each  side  ot 
Cape  Comfort ;  and  it  was  extended  in  breadth  to  the  South  sea.  James,  yield- 
ing to  some  influence  which  does  not  distinctly  appear,  was  induced  to  waivn 
those  high  claims  of  .sovereignty  before  so  strictly  res<;rved.  He  allowed  the 
council  in  England  to  be  chosen  by  the  projjrietors,  with  power  to  nominate  a 
governor.  The  Episcopal  church  was  exclusively  established,  and  all  emigrants 
required  to  take  the  oath  of  supremacy.  There  appears  a  peculiar  anxiety  to 
exclude  Roman  Catholics,  respecting  whom  it  is  observed,  in  a  pamphlet  ad- 
dressed to  Sir  Thomas  Smith,  the  treasurer,  "  I  would  have  none  seasoned  with 
the  least  taint  of  that  leaven  '>/  be  settled  on  tliis  plantation,  or  any  part  of  that 
country  ;  but  if  once  perceived,  such  a  one,  weed  him  out ;  for  they  will  ever 
be  plotting  and  conspiring  to  root  you  out  if  they  can.  If  you  will  live  and  pros- 
per, harbor  not  this  viperous  brood  in  your  bosom." 

The  exertions  of  the  patentees,  and  the  general  enthusiasm  kindled  throughout 
the  nation,  enai)led  the  company  to  equip  an  expedition  of  nine  vessels  and  five 
hundred  emigrants.  Lord  Delaware,  distinguished  by  his  talents  and  virtues, 
was  named  governor  for  life  ;  and  as  he  could  not  depart  immediately.  Sir 
Thomas  Gates  and  Sir  Ceorge  Summers  were  to  rule  in  the  meantime. 
The  vessels  set  sail  on  the  15th  May,  1609,  and  seven  arrived  on  the  11th  Au- 
gust at  Jamestown  ;  but  unfortunately  they  had  encountered  a  violent  storm,  in 
which  two,  having  on  board  Gates  and  Summers,  were  separated  and  thrown 
upon  the  Bermudas.  In  their  absence.  Smith  justly  claimed  the  rule  ;  but  many 
of  the  new-comers,  being  bankrupts,  spendthrifts,  or  others  sent  for  doing  no 
good  at  home,  were  indisposed  to  obey  him.  For  some  time  total  anarchy 
reigned  ;  but  its  evils  at  length  became  so  great,  that  he  was  entreated  to  resume 
the  government.  He  exerted  hin.self  to  locate  advantageously  the  emigrants, 
of  whom  two  parties,  one  hundred  and  twenty  each,  were  settled  at  Nansemond, 
and  at  the  Falls  of  James  river.  Both,  however,  mismanaged  their  affairs, 
quarrelled  with  tlio  Indians,  and  lost  a  number  of  their  men ;  while  they  reject- 
ed all  his  efl'orts  to  remedy  these  disorders.  In  reluming  from  the  latter  place, 
a  bag  of  gunpowder  burst  and  severely  mangled  his  person,  so  that  he  reached 
home  in  extreme  torture.  Here  he  was  toM  that  plots  were  forming  against  his 
life.  Unable  in  his  debilitated  state  to  struggle  against  so  many  difHculties,  he 
returned  to  England,  quitting  for  ever  the  colony  which  had  been  so  much  in- 
debted to  him.  He  received  at  home  neither  honors  nor  rewards.  The  com- 
pany, prepossessed  by  his  numerous  enemies,  complained  that  he  had  brought 
no  wealth  into  their  cofTers,  and  had  acted  severely  toward  the  Indians.  Pos- 
terity has  done  him  justice,  perhaps  somewhat  beyond  his  merits.  His  bold 
and  active  spirit,  with  sound  practical  judgment,  eminently  qualified  him  for  the 
station  ;  though,  being  soiiiewhat  hot  and  uncompromising  in  his  temper,  he  ex- 
cited bitter  enmities.  A  conciliatory  dispo  jition  and  persuasive  powers  were, 
in  such  a  situation,  almost  indispensable  to  render  his  exertions  efTective.  His 
conduct  toward  the  Indians  was  in  general  culpable,  and  by  the  hostility  which 
it  created,  neutralized  in  a  great  measure  his  eminent  services. 

His  (udogium,  however,  was  found  in  the  state  of  the  colony  after  his  depar- 
ture. Oidy  about  thirty  or  forty  acres  were  cultivated ;  the  ships  had  brought 
grain  in  limited  quantity,  and  nnich  spoiled  during  the  unfortunate  voyage.  The 
Indm'ic,  no  longer  overawed  by  the  late  president,  not  only  refused  victuals,  but 
killed  many  settl"rs.  Thus  there  ensued  a  dreadful  famine,  long  fearfully  re- 
membered under  the  name  of  the  "  Starving  Time."  Many  were  impelled  to 
the  horrid  resource  of  devouring  the  bodies  of  the  dead  ;  nay  there  are  dark  im- 
putations of  murder  committed  under  this  fearful  impulse.     Vessels  sent  along 


I  larger  scale 
he  former  one 

each  side  ot 
James,  yield- 
iced  to  waivft 
e  allowed  the 
to  nominate  a 
d  all  emigrants 
iar  anxiety  to 
pamphlet  ad- 
seasoned  with 
ny  part  of  that 
they  will  ever 

II  live  and  pros- 

Ued  throughout 
essels  and  live 
ts  and  virtues, 
nmediately,  Sir 
the  meantime, 
m  the  11th  Au- 
iolent  storm,  in 
;d  and  thrown 
rule ;  but  many 
it  for  doing  no 
)  total  anarchy 
eated  to  resume 

the  emigrants, 
1  at  Nansemond, 
id  their  affairs, 
liile  they  reject- 
the  latter  place, 
that  he  reached 
ming  against  his 
y  difficulties,  he 
;n  so  much  in- 
rds.  The  corn- 
he  had  brought 

Indians.  Pos- 
Brits.  His  bold 
ified  him  for  the 
IS  temper,  he  ex- 
6  powers  were, 
i  effective.  His 
B  hostility  whicl; 

:  after  his  depar- 
lips  had  brought 
,te  voyage.  The 
ased  victuals,  but 
ong  fearfully  re- 
vere impelled  to 
here  are  dark  ini- 
•sse.ls  sent  along 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


oA 


thi)  rive..'8  were  either  simk,  or  the  crews  beaten  by  the  savages.  Virginia 
seemed  a  devoted  soil.  Of  the  flourishing  colony  of  five  hundred  persons,  tiiere 
remained  only  sixty  "  most  miserable  and  poor  creatures."  After  a  lari,re  ex- 
penditure, and  successive  arrivals  of  emigrants,  it  had  returned  almost  into  its 
original  insignificance. 

IX.  The  Virginian  company,  by  their  second  charter,  had  assigned  to  them  a 
region  of  vast  extent,  including,  doubtless,  the  heads  of  the  great  bays  of  Dela- 
ware and  Chesapeake.  This  grant,  we  have  seen,  was  forfeited  ;  yet  the  colo- 
nists continued  anxiously  to  claim  and  consider  the  whole  as  Virginia,  though 
their  title  could  not  stand  against  the  regal  power  influenced  by  the  solicitations 
of  a  favorite.  Sir  George  Calvert  had  been  secretary  of  state  under  James  I., 
but  having  become  a  convert  to  the  Romish  religion,  he  was  excluded  from  the 
direction  of  the  government.  He  now  turned  his  attention  to  America,  and  ob- 
tfiined  from  the  king  a  large  grant  of  land,  which  was  termed  Maryland,  in  honor 
of  the  queen  Henrietta  Maria,  who  had  warmly  seconded  his  views. 

The  influence  and  favor  enjoyed  by  Calvert,  now  created  Lord  Baltimore,  are 
•strikingly  proved  by  the  terms  of  the  grant.  Charles,  notwithstanding  his  des- 
potic feelings,  reserved  neither  the  right  of  taxation  nor  of  giving  laws  ;  these 
were  to  be  exercised  by  the  proprietor,  with  the  assent  of  the  freemen  or  their 
deputies,  whose  assembly  was  to  be  made  "  in  such  sort  and  form  as  to  him 
should  seem  best."  Moreover,  in  emergencies,  when  there  was  not  time  to  call 
them  together,  he  might  of  himself  make  "  fit  and  wholesome  ordinances,"  not 
stated  as  temporary,  but  "  to  be  inviolably  observed."  By  a  very  singular  clause, 
meant,  it  should  seem,  to  blind  the  public  at  home,  he  was  empowered  to  found 
churches  and  chapels,  "  according  to  the  ecclesiastical  law  of  England."  He 
might  also  train,  muster,  and  call  out  troops,  exercise  all  the  functions  of  captain- 
general,  and,  in  case  of  rebellion  or  sedition,  proclaim  martial  law.  He  had 
likewise  the  nomination  of  the  judges  and  all  other  ofllcers.  Nothing  being  left 
to  the  crown  but  the  usual  empty  claim  of  the  royal  mines,  Maryland  b«n«me, 
what  indeed  the  proprietor  terms  it,  a  separate  monarchy. 


Pie.  Sa— Portrait  of  Cecil  Calvert,  Lord  Baltimoic. 

U«urgB,  the  first  Lord  Baltimore,  died  before  the  completion  of  the  charier 
rhich  was  therefore  granted  to  his  son  Cecil,  on  whom  devolved  the  et'iablifihp 

5 


;,§«A>Si«®fSNi©*iiffl5^*#i^^ 


66 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


moiit  of  tie  colony.  He  appears  to  have  applied  liimself  to  the  task  with  actjv- 
ity  and  judgment ;  and  states  that  he  spent  upon  it  above  jCaO.OOO  from  his  own 
funds  and  an  equal  sum  raised  among  his  friends.  Warned  by  Virginian  dis- 
asters, he  avoided  from  the  first  all  chimerical  projects,  and  placed  his  establish- 
ment entirely  on  an  agricultural  basis.  Every  one  who  carried  out  five  persons 
male  or  female,  paying  their  expenses,  estimated  at  £20  each,  was  to  receive 
1,000  acres.  Those  defraying  their  own  charges  got  100  for  themselves,  and 
the  same  for  each  adult  member  of  their  family ;  for  children  under  six  years, 
50  acres.  The  rent  was  two  shillings  for  each  100  acres.  Lord  Baltimore  did 
not  rule  in  person,  nor,  so  far  as  we  can  trace,  even  visit  the  colony,  at  leas' 
till  after  the  restoration.  Two  of  his  brothers,  however,  acted  successively  as 
governors,  and  died  there. 

In  November,  1633,  Leonard  Calvert  set  sail  with  the  first  emigrants,  con- 
sisting of  about  two  hundred  persons,  including  a  son  of  Sir  Thomas   Gerard, 
one  of  Sir  Thomas   Wiseman,  and  two  of  Lady  Wintour.     In  February  he 
touched  at  Point  Comfort  in  Virginia,  where  his  arrival  was  by  no  means  ac- 
ceptable ;  nevertheless,  Sir  John  Harvey,  in  obedience  to  the  express  orders  ot 
Charles,  gave  him  a  courteous  reception.     Early  in  March  he  entered  the  Poto- 
mac, to  the  people  on  the  shores  of  which  the  sight  of  so  large  a  vessel  was 
quite  new,  and  caused  the  utmost  astonishment.     The  report  was,  that  a  canoe 
was  approaching  as  big  as  an  island,  with  men  standing  in  it  as  thick  as  trees 
in  a  forest ;  and  they  thought  with  amazement  how  enormous  must  have  been 
the  trunk  out  of  which  it  had  been  hollowed.     A  piece  of  ordnance,  resounding 
5or  the  first  time  on  the  shores  of  this  mighty  river,  cauaed  the  whole  country  to 
tremble.     The  intercourse,  however,  appears  to  have  been  judiciously  conducted, 
and  was,  on  the  whole,  very  amicable.     Calvert  sailed  up  to  Piscataqua,  an  In- 
dian settlement  nearly  opposite  the  present  site  of  Mount  Vernon,  where  the 
chief  received  him  with  kindness,  saying,  "  he  would  not  bid   him  go,  neither 
would  he  bid  him  stay ;  he  might  use  his  own  discretion."     On  reflection,  he 
considered  the  place  too  far  up  the  river,  and  therefore  the  vessel  was  moved 
down  to  a  tributary  named  then  St.  George's,  and  now  St.  Mary's.     Ascending 
it  four  leagues,  he  came  to  a  considerable  Indian  town,  named  Yoacomoco  ;  and 
being  hospitably  received,  as  well  as  pleased  with  the  situation,  he  determined 
to  fix  his  colony  there.     The  weroanee  accepted  an  invitation  on  board,  and  Sir 
John  Harvey  having  just  arrived  from  Virginia,  the  chief  was  led  down  to  the 
cabin,  and  seated  at  dinner  between  the  two  governors.     An  alarm  having  spread 
among  the  people  on  shore  tiiat  he  was  detained  as  a  prisoner,  they  made  the 
banks  echo  with  shouts  of  alarm ;  the  Indian  attendants  durst  not  go  to  them, 
but  when  he  himself  appeared  on  deck,  they   were  satisfied.     He  became  so 
much  attached  to  the    English  as  to  declare,  that  if  they  should  kill  hini  he 
would  not  wish  his  death  avenged,  being  sure  that  he  must  have  deserved  his 
fate      Amid  these  dispositions,  it  was  not  difficult  to  negotiate  the  formation  oi 
a  settlement.     For  hatchets,  hoes,  knives,  cloth,  and  other  articles  of  probably 
Tery  small  original  cost,  the  stra.igers  not  only  obtained  a  large  tract  of    and, 
but  were  allowed  by  the  inhabitants  to  occupy  immediately  half  of  tneir  village, 
with  the  corn  growing  adjacent  to  it,  and,  at  the  end  of  harvest,  were  to  receive 
the  whole.     Thus  tl      English  were  at  once  comfortably  established,  without 
those  severe  hardships  which  usually  attend  an  infant  settlement. 

This  good  understanding  was  prolonged  for  a  number  of  years  ;  but  at  lengtli, 
in  1042,  the  emigrants  had  the  usual  misfortune  of  being  involved  m  a  war  with 
the  natives.  For  two  years  thev  suffered  all  its  distressing  and  harassing  ac- 
companiments, which,  in  1664,  were  happily  terminated  by  a  treaty,  the  condi- 
vions  of  which,  and  some  acts  of  assembly  immediately  following.seeni  to  prove 
that  the  evil  had  arisen  entirely  from  the  interested  proceedings  of  individuals 


■fS< 


with  act:v. 
3m  his  own 
■ginian  (lis- 
is  estal'lisli- 
ive  persons 

to  receive 
iselvers,  and 

six  years, 
altimore  did 
ny,  at  leas' 
lessively  as 

grants,  con- 
las  Gerard, 
ebruary  he 

means  ac- 
ss  orders  ot 
ed  the  Poto- 

vessel  was 
hat  a  canoe 
ok  as  trees 
t  have  been 
,  resounding 
le  country  to 
y  conducted, 
aqua,  an  In- 
I,  where  the 
I  go,  neither 
reflection,  he 

was  moved 
Ascending 
;omoco  ;  and 
5  determined 
oard,  and  Sir 
down  to  the 
laving  spread 
ey  made  the 

go  to  them, 
}  became  so 

kill  him  he 
deserved  his 
!  formation  oi 
s  of  probably 
tract  of  land, 

tiieir  village, 
3re  to  receive 
shed,  without 

but  at  length, 
in  a  war  with 
harassing  ac- 
ity,  the  condi- 
seem  to  prove 
)f  individuals 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


«? 


The  prohibition  of  kidnapping  the  Indians,  and  of  selling  arms  to  them,  show 
the  existence  of  these  culpable  practices.  This  peace  was  of  long  duration,  and 
the  Maryland  government  seem,  on  the  whole,  to  have  acted  more  laudably 
toward  this  race  than  any  other,  that  of  Penn  excepted. 

X.  All  the  efforts  both  of  government  and  of  powerful  companies  to  people 
the  district  of  New  England  had  proved  nearly  abortive,  when,  from  an  unex- 
pected quarter,  a  tide  of  population  poured  into  it,  which  rendered  it  the  most 
prosperous  of  all  the  colonies  on  the  American  continent. 

The  Reformation,  though  it  doubtless  involved  an  extensive  exercise  of  pri- 
vate judgment,  was  not  accompanied  by  any  express  recognition  of  that  right, 
or  of  any  general  principle  of  toleration.  These',  which,  us  Mr.  Bancroft  ob- 
serves, were  its  tardy  fruits,  were  long  wanting  in  England,  where  the  change 
was  introduced,  not  by  the  people,  though  conformable  to  their  wishes,  but  by 
the  most  arbitrary  of  their  monarchs,  consulting  chiefly  his  own  passion  and  ca- 
price. Substituting  himself  for  the  head  of  the  Catholic  church,  Henry  VIII. 
exacted  the  same  implicit  submission.  Elizabeth  trode  in  his  steps,  equally 
despotic,  and  attached,  if  not  to  popery,  as  has  sometimes  been  suspected,  at 
least  to  a  pompous  ritual  and  powerful  hierarchy.  But  the  nation  in  general 
considering  the  Romish  religion  as  contrary  to  Scripture,  and  shocked  by  the 
bloody  persecutions  of  Mary,  and  other  sovereigns  on  the  continent,  were  dis 
posed  to  go  into  the  opposite  extreme.  From  Geneva  they  imbibed  the  Calvin 
istic  doctrine  and  discipline,  with  the  strict  manners  usually  imbibed  with  them 
The  queen,  whose  views  were  irreconcilably  opposed  to  these  innovations, 
claimed  the  right  of  putting  them  down  by  main  force.  The  most  severe  laws 
were  enacted  umloi  .he  sanction  of  Whitgift,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  a  prelate 
sincerely  but  bigotedly  attached  to  the  English  church.  The  wisdom  of  Cecil 
viewed  with  much  dissatisfaction  the  discontents  thus  engendered,  and,  on  read- 
ing twenty-four  queries  drawn  up  by  the  primate,  told  him,  "  he  thought  the  In 
quisition  of  Spain  used  not  so  many  questions  to  comprehend  and  to  trap  their 
preys."  He  was  seconded  by  the  lords  of  the  council,  and  the  queen  was  not 
insensible  to  his  remonstrances  ;  but  whenever  she  showed  a  disposition  to  re- 
lent, Whitgift  threw  himself  on  his  knees,  and  prevailed  upon  her  not  to  sacri- 
fice her  own  power  and  the  unity  of  the  church.  The  high  court  of  commission 
was  established ;  several  nonconformists  were  fined  or  imprisoned,  and  a  few 
suffered  death. 

But  under  all  these  persecutions,  the  party  continually  increased,  and  even 
assumed  a  bolder  character.  The  Puritans,  while  they  sought  to  reform  the 
church,  had  no  wish  to  withdraw  from  her  bosom ;  but  there  sprang  up  a  new 
sect  named  Brownists,  who,  denying  the  authority  of  her  doctrine  and  discipline, 
sought  for  the  first  time  to  found  an  independent  communion.  Upon  them  all 
the  vials  of  persecution  were  poured  forth.  Brown  himself  could  boast  that  he 
had  been  shut  up  in  thirty-two  prisons,  and  several  of  his  followers  were  put  to 
death ;  but  his  own  firmness  at  length  failed,  and  he  accepted  a  living  in  that 
churcn  which  he  had  so  strenuously  opposed.  Although  much  condemned  by 
his  more  zealous  adherents,  his  desertion  broke  for  some  time  the  union  of  the 
party.  Toward  the  end  of  Elizabeth's  reign,  however,  there  was  formed  in  a 
northern  county  a  congregation  of  separatists,  under  two  res-pectable  clergymen, 
Robinson  and  Brewster.  During  a  certain  interval  they  escaped  notice  ;  but 
James,  who  soon  began  to  follow  his  predecessor's  steps,  took  such  measures 
4S  convinced  them  that  it  would  be  vain  to  attempt  the  exercise  of  their  profes- 
sion  at  home.  In  looking  for  an  asylum,  they  fixed  upon  Holland,  the  firs 
country  where  toleration  was  publicly  sanctioned  by  law  ;  and  thither  they  made 
their  escape  amid  much  difficulty  and  hardship,  their  families  being  for  some 
luuu  lioiaintKi  Deuind  them.     Having  reached  that  toreiKn  land,  thev  found  the 


'''^iffii^^fe^^w^ife*****''**''^*^ 


11  fT.'  KfJa  FQjJd.v.'i^-^-  [' 


._.V.*-    .-e-v^' 


68 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


protection  denied  at  liome,  and  remained  eleven  years  unmolested,  and  even  re 
spected.  But  they  never  became  fully  naturalized  ;  their  original  occupation  o! 
agriculture  was  more  congenial  to  their  taste  than  the  mechanical  arts,  by  which 
alone  they  could  earn  a  subsistence  among  the  Dutch.  They  turned  their  eye*. 
therefore,'  to  a  transatlantic  region,  where  they  would  not  merely  enjoy  toleration, 
but  might  form  a  society  foundei'  on  their  favorite  plan  of  church-government. 

Animated  by  these  views,  the  exiles  applied  to  the  Virginian  company,  then 
under  the  management  of  Sandys,  Southampton,  and  other  liberal  members, 
who  zealously  espousing  their  cause,  obtained,  though  not  without  difficulty, 
from  King  James  a  promise  to  wink  at  their  heresy,  provided  they  remained 
otherwise  tranquil.  Smith,  dei;.:y  interested  in  this  transaction,  tendered  and 
•ven  pressed  his  services  ;  which  would  doubtless  have  bean  extreniely  valu- 
able. His  religious  views,  ho  vever.  were  materially  different,  and  instead  of 
the  subordination  which  he  reouirt  i,  he  found  in  them  a  rooted  determination 
"  to  be  lords  and  kings  of  theuiselves."  It  was  necessary,  therefore,  that  they 
should  "  make  trial  of  their  own  follies  ;"  for  which,  he  mentions  with  a  niixture 
of  regret  and  triumph,  that  "  they  paid  soundly,  and  were  beaten  whh  their  own 
rod."  They  also  wanted  capital  adequate  to  the  founding  of  a  plantation.  Sev- 
eral London  merchants  agreed  to  advance  the  necessary  sums,  to  be  repaid  out 
of  the  proceeds  of  their  industry  ;  but  the  terms  were  very  high,  and  till  the 
liquidation  of  the  debt  the  produce  of  their  labor  was  to  be  thrown  into  a  com- 
mon stock  for  the  benefit  of  the  creditors  ;  hence  their  exertions  were  not  stimu- 
lated by  the  salutary  impulse  of  personal  interest. 

With  the  moans  thus  procured,  the  emigrants  purchased  one  vessel  of  sixty, 
and  hired  another  of  180  tons  ;  the  former  of  which  sailed  to  Delfthaven  to  take 
on  board  the  brethren.     The  two  joined  at  Southampton,  and  thence  proceeded 
on  their  western  voyage ;  but  before  they  reached  the  Land's  End,  the  master 
of  the  smaller  one,  declaring  her  to  be  too  leaky  to  cross  the  Atlantic,  put  back 
to  Dartmouth  for  repairs.     After  another  trial,  the  capuin  again  pronounced  her 
unfit  for  the  voyage,  and  made  sail  for  Plymouth.     These  disasters  and  alarms 
though  involving  the  loss  of  much  precious  time,  "  winnowed  their  number  of 
the  cowardly  and  the  lukewarm  ;"  and  they  finally  set  sail  in  one  vessel  on  the 
6th  September,  1620,  being  in  all  one  hundred  and  two  persons,  with  the  firm 
determination  of  braving  every  hardship.     They  had  a  tempestuous  voyage,  and 
though  their  destination  was  the  mouth  of  the  Hudson,  they  arrived  on  the  9th 
November  in  view  of  a  great  promontory,  which  proved  to  be  Cape  Cod.     The 
capt;iin,  it  has  been  alleged,  had  received  a  bribe  from  the   Dutch  to  avoid  a 
place  where  they  h»d  projected  a  settlement.     Of  this,  however,  the  adventurers 
being  ignorant,  were  comforted  by  the  view  of  a  goodly  land  wooded  to  the  wa- 
ter's edge.     Whales  so  abounded,  that  had  the  crew  possessed  means  and  in- 
struments, which,  to  their  great  regret,  were  wanting,  they  might  have  procured 
je4,000  worth  of  oil.     They  sailed  on  toward  their  destination,  but  being  driven 
back  by  contrary  winds,  determined  to  go  ashore.     Previously,  however,  they 
nought  to  obviate  the  danger  of  discord  by  a  mutual  agreement,  in  the  name  of 
God,  to  combine  into  a  body  politic  ;  framing  and  duly  observing  laws  for  the 
general  good. 

They  landed  on  the  11th,  but  being  informed  that  more  commodious  spots 
might  be  f^und  to  the  northwest,  in  the  interior  of  the  great  bay  of  Massachu- 
■ette,  they  determined  that  a  select  party  should  proceed  in  the  shallop  in  search 
ot  them.  The  boat,  however,  was  in  such  disrepair  that  it  could  not  sail  till  the 
end  of  two  or  three  weeks  :  sixteen  of  them,  therefore,  resolved  to  make  an  ex- 
cursion into  the  interior.  They  met  no  natives,  but  found  on  a  hill,  half  buried 
m  the  ground,  several  baskets  filled  with  ears  of  corn,  part  of  which  they  carried 
fcwiy,  meaning  to  satisfy  the  owners  on  the  first  opportunity,  which  unluckilj 


1  eveu  re 

upation  ot 

by  which 

heir  eye». 

toleration, 

rnment. 

jany,  then 

membera, 

difficulty, 

remained 

[lered  and 

nely  valu- 

instead  uf 

ermination 

,  that  they 

a  mixture 

their  own 

ion.     Sev- 

repaid  out 

nd  till  the 

to  a  com- 

I  not  stimu- 

si  of  sixty, 
ven  to  take 
proceeded 
the  master 
a,  put  back 
Dunced  her 
ind  alarms 
number  of 
3sel  on  th« 
,h  the  firm 
foyage,  and 

on  the  9  th 
Cod.  The 
to  avoid  a 
idventurers 

to  the  wa- 
ins and  in- 
^e  procured 
eing  driven 
ivever,  they 
le  name  of 
,ws  for  tho 

dious  spots 
Massachu- 
)p  in  search 
;  sail  till  the 
nake  an  ex- 
half  buried 
they  carried 
h  unluckilj 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


69 


never  occnrred.  They  saw  many  geese  and  ducks,  but  were  unable  to  reach 
them ;  and  being  exposed  to  severe  cold,  hastily  returned.  Soon  after  they 
Htarted  for  the  same  spot,  named  Cornhil!,  in  the  neighborhcod  of  which  they 
collected  ten  bushels  of  grain,  esteemed  a  providential  supply.  They  lighted  upon 
a  village  without  inhabitants  ;  but  the  houses  were  neatly  constructed  of  young 
saplings  bent  at  top,  as  in  an  arbor,  and  covered  without  and  within  with  fine 
mats.  Eagles'  claws,  deers'  feet,  and  harts'  horns,  were  stuck  into  them  as 
charms  and  ornaments.  They  then  regained  their  boat  and  sailed  round  to  the 
ship.  Some  of  their  number  urged  that  they  should  remain  at  least  during  the 
winter  in  this  creek,  where  corn  and  fish  could  be  procured,  while  many  were 
disabled  by  sickness  for  further  removal.  The  majority,  however,  observed  that 
water  was  scarce,  and  the  anchorage  for  ships  too  distant ;  that  they  had  every 
chance  of  finding  a  better  situation,  and  to  fix  here  and  then  remove  would  1  e 
doubling  their  labor.  On  the  6th  December,  therefore,  the  shallop  being  at 
.ength  ready,  a  chosen  party  set  sail.  After  proceeding  six  or  seven  leagues, 
they  reached  a  bay  forming  a  good  harbor  but  without  a  stream  falling  into  it. 
Seeing  some  Indian  wigwams,  they  followed,  but  could  not  reach  the  people, 
and  found  only  a  large  burial-place.  They  returned  to  sleep  at  the  landing- 
place,  but  at  midnight  were  wakened  by  "  a  great  and  hideous  cry,"  which  they 
flattered  themselves  proceeded  only  from  wolves  or  foxes.  Next  morning,  just 
after  prayers,  the  sound  was  heard  with  redoubled  violence,  and  was  most  dread- 
ful. A  straggler  rushed  in,  crying, "  They  are  men — Indians."  Though  the  party 
ran  to  their  arms,  beibre  they  could  be  mustered  the  arrows  were  flying  thick 
among  them.  A  brisk  fire  checked  the  assailants  ;  but  the  chief,  shooting  from 
a  tree,  stood  three  discharges,  till  at  tho  fourth  he  screamed  out  and  ran,  follow- 
ed by  his  men.  They  were  reckoned  at  thirty  or  forty,  and  numerous  arrows 
were  picked  up  ;  but  providentially  not  one  Englishman  was  hurt. 

They  sailed  fifteen  leagues  farther,  and  on  the  9th  reached  a  harbor  that  had 
been  strongly  recommended.  The  weather  was  dark  and  stormy,  and  the  en- 
trarice  encumbered  with  rocks ;  yet  they  fortunately  run  in  on  a  fine  sandy 
beach.  This  being  Saturday,  they  did  not  lanu  till  Monday  the  11th,  when  they 
were  highly  pleased,  finding  a  commodious  harbor,,  a  land  well  wooded,  vines, 
/hemes,  and  berries,  lately  planted,  and  a  hill  cleared  for  corn.  There  vaa  no 
navigable  stream,  but  several  brooks  of  fresh  water  fell  into  the  sea.  They  ad- 
vanced seven  or  eight  miles  into  the  country  without  seeing  any  Indians. 

They  now  finally  fixed  upon  this  spot,  to  which,  on  the  19th,  the  vessel  was 
brought  round  ;  and  they  named  it  New  Plymouth,  to  commemorate  hospitalities 
received  at  honie.  Tho  erection  of  houses,  however,  was  a  hard  task,  amid 
severe  weather,  short  days,  and  vovy  frequent  storms.  By  distributing  the  un- 
married among  the  several  families,  they  reduced  the  buildings  wanted  to  nine 
teen,  and  by  the  10th  January  had  completed  one,  twenty  feet  square,  for  public 
meetings.  The  exposure,  however,  and  wading  through  the  water  in  such  j.i- 
clement  weather,  brought  on  severe  illnesses,  to  which  Carver,  a  governor  highly 
esteemed,  and  many  others,  fell  victims.  But  on  the  3d  March  a  south  wind 
sprung  up  ;  the  weather  became  mild  ;  the  birds  sung  in  the  woods  most  pleas- 
antly J  the  invalids  quickly  recovered  ;  and  many  of  them  lived  to  a  good  old 
age. 

In  the  autumn  of  1621,  the  merchants  sent  out  another  vessel  with  thirty-five 
<eUlerB  ;  but  misled  by  "  prodigal  reports  of  plenty"  sent  home  by  certain  colo- 
nists, they  supplied  no  provisions ;  nay,  the  crew  required  to  be  provided  with 
a  portion  for  their  return  voyage.  The  consequence  was,  that  in  the  course  of 
the  winter  the  colonists  were  reduced  to  a  half  allowance  of  corn  daily,  then  to 
five  kernels  a-piece ;  lastly,  to  entire  want.  Equally  destitute  of  live  stock,  they 
depended  wholly  on  wild  animals.     Till  May,  1623,  fowls  abounded ;  but  ther« 


/t.',#^-  »* 


tM*^^f^^i^'^s^^^^^^^^^^smi0&^mmmf^i'm^mwmsm^^^gmmmmiim'< 


70 


THE    PICTORIAL   HISTORY 


remained  tlieu  nmelv  fish,  which  Uiey  had  not  nets  to  catch  ;  and  it  was  onlj 
by  feeding  on  the  shell  species,  coih-cted  among  the  rocks,  that  they  were  pre- 
served fr)m  absolute  starvation. 

The  emigrants  had  seen  the  natives  only  in  the  shor.  hostile  encoui\ter,  bu 
;ifterward  learned  that  a  severe  pestilence  had  thinned  their  numbers.  The 
crime  of  Hunt  also  had  filled  the  country  with  horror  and  dread  of  the  strangers. 
To  their  surprise,  on  the  16th  March,  1621,  a  savage  almost  naked,  in  the  most 
confident  manner,  walked  through  the  village,  and  addressed  those  he  laflt  in 
broken  English.  'Tuy  crowded  "oi'nd  him,  and  on  their  eager  inqui'-v.  lenrnesl 
that  his  name  was  Samoset ;  that  i-e  belonged  to  the  Wampanoags,  :i  sonit  v/hat 
distant  tribe  ;  and  that  their  imrnedifte  neighbors  were  the  people  of  Mass  ■s:|iit 
and  the  Nausites,  the  latter  of  whom  had  been  the  assailants  in  the  late  coafiict. 
They  treated  him  liberally  with  strong  waters  and  fjod,  prcNented  hi:n  vitli  i« 
great-coat,  knife,  and  ornaments,  and  begged  him  to  return  with  iunie  of  iuo 
countrymen.     After  a  brief  absence,  he  appeared  v-  Uii  "  five  proper  ni'.'n,"  pre 


«^«^-^ 


Fig.  29.— Tattooed  Indian, 
senting  .he  usual  grotesque  attire  and  ferocious  aspect.  They  all  heartily  danced 
and  sung.  A  few  days  later  he  brought  Squanto,  whose  restoration  to  his  native 
country  had  rendered  him  extremely  friendly  to  the  English.  Being  ready  tc 
act  as  interpreter  and  mediator,  he  opened  a  communication  with  Massansoit  • 
and  on  the  22d  March,  that  great  sagamore,  with  Quadequina  his  brother,  and 
sixty  men,  was  announced  as  in  the  vicinity.  Difficulties  were  felt  as  to  the 
meeting  from  want  of  mutual  confidence  ;  however,  Squanto  having  brought  an 
invitation  to  parley,  Edward  Winslow  went  with  presents,  and  was  kindly  re- 
ceived. The  governor,  then,  after  obtaining  some  Indians  as  hostages,  marched 
out  at  the  head  of  six  musketeers,  kissed  hands  with  the  great  chief,  and  pre- 
sented a  bottle  of  strong  waters,  of  which  he  drank  somewhat  too  copiously.  A 
treaty  was  concluded,  both  of  abstinence  from  mutual  injury,  and  protection  againsi 
others  ;  and  it  was  long  faithfully  observed. 

Two  of  the  settlers  now  accepted  an  invitdtion  to  visit  his  residence.     Aftei 


')F  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


TI 


ft  Lborio\i8  journey  of  fifteen  miles  lhroii,'h  trackless  woods,  they  were  received 
with  great  courtesy,  hut  found  a  total  ie  ficiency  of  victuals,  of  which  it  seems 
the  kuig's  absence  had  prevented  any  supply.  At  night  tiiey  were  honored  by 
sharing  the  royal  couch,  which  consisted  of  a  large  board,  covered  with  a  thin 
mat.  At  the  other  end  lay  his  majesty  and  the  queen  ;  and  they  had  soon  the 
additional  company  of  two  chiefs,  who,  with  a  large  colony  of  fleas  and  other 
insects,  and  the  uncouth  songs  with  which  their  bedfellows  lulled  themselves  to 
rest,  rendered  their  slumbers  very  brief.  Next  day,  two  large  bream  were  spread 
on  the  table  •  but  "  forty  expected  a  share."  Though  strongly  urged,  they  d.'^- 
clined  to  partake  any  longer  of  these  hospitalities. 

It  was  discovered,  however,  that  Squanto  wais  completely  abusing  their  con- 
fidence ;  telling  his  countrymen  that  but  for  him  the  English  would  kill  the  In- 
dians ;  and  that  they  kept  the  plague  locked  up  in  their  store-house,  which  only 
his  intercession  prevented  from  being  let  loose.  On  this  being  knowii,  the  ut- 
most pains  were  taken,  and  successfully,  to  undeceive  the  people.  In  February, 
1622,  the  settlers  had  complexly  enclosed  their  town,  forming  four  bulwarks 
and  three  gates.  They  were  some  time  after  alarmed  by  hearing  that  Mas- 
sassoit,  now  at  the  point  of  death,  was  likely  to  be  succeeded  by  his  son  Couba- 
tant,  whose  disposition  was  far  from  friendly.  Edward  Winslow  hastened  to 
the  spot,  and  found  the  magicians  busy  at  their  incantations,  and  six  or  eight 
woman  chafing  him  amidst  hideous  yells.  The  chief,  already  blind,  cried  out : 
"  Oh,  Winslow,  I  shall  never  see  thee  again  !"  That  gentleman,  however,  by 
suitable  medicines,  gave  present  relief,  and  in  a  few  days  efl'ected  a  cure.  Even 
the  heir-apparent  being  promised  similpr  aid  in  case  of  need,  became  greatly 
reconciled  to  them. 

Meantime,  Weston,  one  of  the  London  adventurers,  had  sent  out  a  settle- 
ment consisting  of  sixty  individuals  to  a  place  which  they  named  Weymouth ; 
but  they  behaved  so  ill  to  the  Indians,  that  the  latter  entered  into  a  general  con- 
federacy to  cut  off  all  the  English.  This  was  revealed  by  Massassoit  to  his 
friends  at  Plymouth,  who  succeeded  in  saving  both  themselves  and  their  rivals, 
though  the  latter  were  obliged  to  relinquish  their  establishment,  some  returning 
home,  and  others  joining  the  first  colony. 

This  last  made  such  progress  that,  though  reduced  in  the  spring  of  1621  to 
fifty  or  sixty  persons,  in  1624  it  amounted  to  a  hundred  and  eighty.  They  were, 
as  Winslow  observes,  "  by  God's  providence  safely  seated,  housed,  and  fortified." 
They  had  escaped  those  tyrannical  governors,  and  "  bestial  yea  diabolical"  set- 
tlers, who  had  ruined  so  many  colonies,  though  he  admits  that  it  was  vain  as 
yet  to  hope  for  profit.  The  merchants,  however,  complained  most  loudly,  that 
they  had  laid  out  a  large  capital  without  receiving  or  having  any  prospect  of  the 
slightest  return.  After  much  discussion,  it  was  determined  that  the  colonists 
should  now  supply  themselves  with  everything,  and  for  past  services  should, 
during  nine  years,  pay  £200  annually.  Eight  adventurers,  on  receiving  a  mo- 
nopoly of  the  trade  for  six  years,  undertook  to  meet  this  engagement  j  so  that 
the  settlers  were  now  established  in  the  full  property  of  their  lands.  In  six 
years  more  their  number  had  risen  to  three  hundred. 

The  Plymouth  company  meantime  continued  their  abortive  efforts  to  derive 
•  jme  benefit  from  their  vast  domains  ;  being  particularly  solicitous  to  stop  the 
»ctiv  5  rade  and  fishery  carried  on  in  defiance  of  them.  Francis  West  was  ap 
pointed  admiral,  and  Robert  Gorges  lieutenant-general  of  New  England,  with 
strict  injunctions  to  restrain  interlopers  ;  but  in  an  ocean  and  continent  almost 
«qually  wide  and  waste,  they  could  effect  little.  The  most  important  grant  was 
to'  Robert,  son  of  Sir  Ferdinand  Gorges,  who,  obtaining  a  large  portion  of  what 
is  now  called  New  Hampshire,  employed  Captain  Mason,  a  person  of  great  ac- 
tivity, to  co'onize  it ;  and  hence  were  built  Dover  and  Portsmouth  on  the  Pis 


'*■  "'mim 


tei5S,^^tlS^l^i^a-«&ite«^^S 


WSfeiBKStej»*«Si<itSs8&fe*  ■■  /.i»  iiMli&ii'! '  i-  ' 


2 


THE  PICTORIAI.  HISTORY 


cataqiia.  These,  however,  made  only  a  slow  progress  ;  nor  was  it  till  the  df  ath 
of  their  founders,  that,  being  left  nearly  to  themselves,  they  drew  gradual  acces 
sions  both  from  home  and  the  adjoining  colony.  The  crews  also,  who  sought 
timber  and  fish  on  the  coast  of  Maine,  began  to  form  fixed  stations  on  the  Penob- 
scot and  Kennebec.  Levett,  who  visited  America  in  162:1,  strongly  recommends 
this  course,  asserting  that  a  settlement  on  shore  might  take  twice  the  quantity 
of  fish  that  i\  ship  can  do  at  sea,  and  have  still  seven  months  for  other  employ- 
ment. He  gives  a  warning,  at  that  time  too  much  neglected,  that  they  must 
carry  out  eighteen  months'  provisions,  and  work  hard  for  a  fresh  supply. 

The  enigration,  however,  which  was  to  render  New  England  a  flourishing 
colony,  was  again  derived  from  the  suspicion  and  dread   which  always   attend 
religious  persecution.     It  seems  to  have  abated  toward  the  end  of  James's  reign, 
Abbot,  the  primate,  being  a  man  of  mild  temper,  and  averse  to  violent  measures. 
In  1625,  Charles  I.  succeeded,  a  young  prince  of  virtuous  dispositions,  but  of 
obstinate  and  despotic  temper,  attached  with  a  conscientious  but  blind  zeal  to 
the  English  church,  and  probably  imbibing  from  his  queen  Henrietta  some  favor 
for  popish  ceremonies.     He  threw  himself  into  the  arms  of  Laud,  bishop  of  Lon- 
don,  a  zealot  in  the  same  cause,  and  they  entered  together  on  a  career  oppres- 
sive to  the  nation,  and  ultimately  fatal  to  themselves.     The  body  of  the  people 
and  clergy  havii.g  become  more  and  more  Calvinistic,  that  creed  had  obtained 
among  both  a  great  majority.     It  was  accompanied  with  a  strictness,  and  even 
preciseness  as  to  morals  and  conduct,  which  procured  them  the  name  of  Puri- 
tans ;  also  with  a  peculiar  aversion  to  everything  which  had  the  least  pcpect  of 
popery.     Laud  proceeded  with  the  utmost  severity  not  only  against  the  new 
doctrine,  but  against  any  particular  display  of  it,  such  as  preaching  oij  week- 
days, enforcing  a  rigid  observance  of  the  sabbath,  rebuking  for  drunkenness,  or 
other  open  sin.     These  steps  were  sufficient,  according  to  circumsiaiices,  to 
produce  censure,  suspension,  and  deprivation.     Nor  was  he  content  with  the 
church  as  he  had  found  it,  but  introduced  new  ceremonies  and  vestments,  closely 
approximating  to  the   Romish  standard.     These  maridates,  though  the  rnost 
odious,  were  also  the  most  strongly  urged,  and  their  omission  the  most  rigidly 
punished      All  the  popular  ministers  in  the  kingdom  were  thus  either  silenced 
or  under  immediate  peril  of  this  sentence ;  and  hence  a  great  part  of  the  nation 
was  deprived  of  any  ministration  which  they  considered  profitable  or  edifying. 
Yet  loyalty  was  still  powerful,  and  they  were  not  ripe  for  that  terrible  resistance, 
to  which  they  were  afterward  impelled.     Their  only  refuge  seemed  to  be  in 
some  distant  region,  whither  the  power  of  Laud  could  not  reach,  and  where  they 
might  enjoy  a  form  of  worship  which  they  esteemed  pure  and  scriptural. 

In  1625,  Roger  Conant,  with  some  mercantile  aid,  but  chiefly  inspired  by  re- 
ligious zeal,  had  established  a  body  of  settlers  near  Cape  Anne  ;  their  sufTerings, 
however,  were  so  severe,  that  they  determined  to  return  to  England.  Whit.' 
however,  an  eminent  minister  of  Dorchester,  entreated  him  to  remain,  pi  jmising 
that  he  should  receive  a  patent,  friends,  goods,  provisions,  and  everything  he 
could  desire.  This  zealous  clergyman  held  communication  with  many  persons 
in  his  own  neighborhood,  in  London,  and  other  quarters,  particularly  Lincoln- 
shire ;  who,  with  zeal  for  religious  parity,  united  energy  of  character,  and  in 
many  cases  considerable  property.  They  found  no  difficulty  in  purchasing  from 
the  Plymouth  company  an  extensive  tract,  including  all  the  coast  between  the 
rivers  Charles  and  Merrimac,  and  across  to  the  Pacific  ocean.  They  even 
obtained,  though  not  without  cost  and  trouble,  a  charter  h  ^m  Charles,  under  the 
title  of  "  The  Company  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay."  On  the  delicate  topic  of 
religion,  the  governor  was  empowered,  but  not  required,  to  administer  the  oath 
of  supreiTiacy  ;  and  there  was  no  other  mention  of  the  subject.  Some  eminent 
historians  have  therefore  thought  that  the  colonists  went  out  without  any  secu 


OF  TUE   AMKUICAN   REVOLUTION. 


»■     '  '  V  :vS|g^'jl|^j^.(^^:gi,ssii^ 


74 


THE  PICTORIAL    HISTORY 


ritv  whatever  on  a  matter  dpcinoil  by  them  so  supremfiiy  important.  To  ns  i 
appears  evident  that,  umlrr  •■ill  the  circumstances,  this  silence  implied  a  t'lill  as- 
surance of  their  not  bein>f  disturhed.  In  fact,  they  took  with  them  a  silenced 
miiiisti^r,  atid  on  their  arrival  immediately  began  to  exercise  uncontnilied  liberty, 
without  drawing  upon  themselves  any  penal  proceedings.  We  have  seen,  on 
every  occasion,  the  vast  sacrifices  which  princes  were  willing  to  make,  in  order 
to  people  their  distant  p  ssessions ;  and  thi'  backwardness  hitherto  visible  as  lo 
New  England  rendered  the  necessity  of  encouragement  more  urgent.  It  was 
probably  also  imagined,  that  :<.  few  of  the  most  discontented  spirits  being  thus 
removed,  the  nation  in  general  might  become  more  peaceable. 

On  the  1st  May,  1629,  six  vessels,  having  on  board  about  two  hundred  pas- 
'•engers,  including  four  .'lergymen,  sailed  from  the  isle  of  Wight.  Smith  would 
evidently  have  been  glad  to  co-operate  ;  but  difTerence  of  religious  views  aeems 
dirain  to  have  prevented  negotiation.  He  describes  them  "  an  absolute  crew, 
ordv  of  the  elect,  hotdini^  all  but  such  as  themselves  as  reprobate  ;"  and  before 
sailing,  all  those  persons  were  dismissed  whor>e  character  was  thought  to  make 
tliem  unsuitable  companions.  The  seamen  were  surprised  and  edified  by  the 
new  scene  which  their  ships  presented — prayer  and  exposition  of  the  Word  two 
or  three  times  a  day  ;  the  sabbath  entirely  spent  in  preaching  and  catechising , 
repeated  and  solemn  fasts  for  the  succeaa  of  the  voyage.  They  arrived  on  the 
24th  June,  and  found  only  eight  or  ten  hovels,  w^hich,  with  others  scattered  along 
the  coast,  contained  about  one  hundred  settlers.  A  site,  already  marked  out, 
had  its  name  changed  from  Nahumkeik  to  Salem ;  while  a  large  party  removed 
to  Mishauin,  which  they  called  Charlestown. 

The  colonists  suRered  severely  during  the  winter  under  the  usual  evils  of  a 
new  settlement,  especially  in  so  rigorous  a  climate.  No  fewer  than  eighty  died  ; 
yet  the  spirits  of  the  rest  continued  unbroken,  and  they  transmitted  by  no  means 
unfavorable  reports  to  England.  Mr.  Higgeson,  the  principal  clergyman,  was 
one  of  the  victims  ;  yet  he  had  previously  prepared  a  narrative,  which  painted 
the  country  under  the  mosi  flattering  colors,  as  "  a  wonderment,  outstripping  the 
increase  of  Egypt — yielding  from  thirty  to  sixty  fold  ;  the  ears  of  corn  nowhere 
so  great  and  nientifiil."  He  adds,  "  Shall  such  a  man  as  I  lie?  It  becoineth 
not  u  preacher  of  the  truth  to  be  a  writer  of  falsehood  in  any  degree."  Yet  the 
picture  was  much  too  highly  colored,  though  we  hope  not  intentionally.  At 
home  it  was  extensively  read,  and  produced  a  strong  impression.  An  extraor- 
dinary movement  had  iii  fact  taken  place  among  those  to  whom  their  religious 
welfare  was  ;:n  object  of  paramount  interest ;  and  their  promptitude  to  remove 
was  greatly  increas  d  by  an  arrangement,  according  to  which  the  meetings  of 
the  company  might  be  held  in  New^  England.  The  colonists  thus  carried  the 
charter  along  with  them,  and  were  entirely  released  from  all  dependance  upon 
Great  Britain.  A  body  of  emigrants  was  formed,  much  superior  to  their  prede- 
cessors in  numbers,  wealth,  education,  and  intelligence.  The  principal  lay 
members  were  Winthrop,  Dudley,  and  Johnston ;  the  two  first  of  whom  were 
successively  governors,  while  the  other  was  accompanied  by  his  wife,  Lady 
Arabella,  a  daughter  of  the  house  of  Lincoln. 

The  party  thus  assembled  from  various  quarters  was  reac/y  to  sail  early  in  the 
spring  of  1630.  The  expedition  consisted  of  seventeen  vessels,  and  nearly  fif- 
teen hundred  settlers,  who  were  respectable  as  well  for  their  intelligence  as  for 
their  rank  in  society.  They  published  an  account  of  their  motives  for  removal, 
taking  an  affectionate  leave  of  their  friends  in  England,  in  which  they  said, 
"  Our  eyes  shall  be  fountains  of  tears  for  your  everlasting  welfare,  while  we  are 
in  our  poor  cottages  in  the  wilderness."  They  went,  however,  with  little  ex 
perience  in  the  mysteries  of  settlement,  and  without  any  suspicion  of  their  own 
Ignorance.     Smith  intimates  that  he  saw  clearly  the  errors  which  they,  were 


Wi 
86 

an 
ea 
mi 
hi 
lei 
ih 

Pr 
th 

a 

be 


as 
es 
th. 
an 

ag 
th< 

Pr 

thi 

Ci 
tei 
so 
foi 
ab 
Tl 
pit 


anS: 


OF  THE  AMKKICAN  UKVOLUTlUN. 


crew, 


Ffo.  31.— Portrait  of  Governor  Winthrop. 

eemmitting,  but  no  regard  was  paid  to  his  warning  voice.  They  had  received 
a  false  impression,  for  whicli  Mr.  Higgeson  must  be  partly  blamed,  that  they 
were  going  to  a  land  already  in  the  enjoyment  of  plenty ;  whereas  the  existing 
settlers  were  looking  anxiously  to  them  for  supplies.  Want  of  food  und  shelter, 
and  a  change  in  the  habits  of  life,  which  with  many  of  them  had  been  those  of 
ease  and  comfort,  produced  the  usual  distressing  consequences  ;  and  in  the  first 
month  from  eighty  to  one  hundred  died,  among  whom  Lady  Arabella  and  her 
husband  were  particularly  lamented.  The  hopes  of  religion,  the  firmness  of  the 
leaders,  and  the  high  motives  by  which  they  were  inspired,  carried  them  through 
this  period  of  heavy  trial.  They  spread  themselves  over  the  coast — a  large 
proportion  going  to  Charleston.  Part  of  these  were  attracted  by  a  situation  ai 
the  very  head  of  the  bay,  named  by  the  Indians  Shawmut,  where  they  founded 
a  town  called  first  Trimountain,  and  afterward  Boston,  under  which  name  it  has 
become  a  populous  and  flourishing  city. 

The  relations  of  the  colonists  with  the  Indian  tribes  were  not  so  satisfactory 
as  the  character  of  the  settlers  might  have  led  us  to  hope.  Almost  from  the  first 
establishment  of  Connecticut,  mutual  wrongs  had  created  an  animosity  between 
the  settlers  and  the  Pequods,  the  most  powerful  of  all  the  tribes,  who  sought,  by 
an  alliance  with  their  enemies,  the  Narragansets,  to  form  a  general  league 
against  them.  Thit  scheme  had  nearly  succeeded,  when  it  was  frustrated  by 
the  generous  exertions  of  Williams.  The  English  at  first  were  taken  by  sur- 
prise,  had  several  small  detachments  cut  ofl',  and  were  so  closely  hemmed  in 
that  they  could  not  go  to  their  work  or  even  to  church  without  a  strong  escort. 
Captains  Mason  and  Underhill,  however,  having  come  up  with  seves.iv-  men,  de- 
termined to  attack  their  main  fort,  surrounded  by  a  palisade  of  strong  tic b^.,  but 
so  loosely  put  together  that  musketry  could  penetrate  it.  The  assedfirl^i  having 
forced  an  entrance,  set  fire  to  the  camp,  which  was  soon  reduced  •  tohes,  and 
above  three  himdred  Indians,  men,  women,  and  children,  perished  in  the  ruins. 
The  English,  whose  loss  was  trifling,  pursued  the  remnant  of  the  tribe  from 
place  to  place,  till  the  whole  were  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners.     Forty  who 


-;S^CfeSK5%^sai«jffia'ie«Ea;-i«<s®»sKaiiMBSffita«s^ 


79 


THE    PICTORIAL   HISTORY 


Dad  sought  nAifte  aiuoiisr  the  Mi)hawks,  wtre  gnfti  up  by   these   savages,  and 
the  tow  others  wlio  rcmaint'd  alive  surreuihred  iii  desp;iir. 

Alter  the  terror  inspired  liy  this  dreadful  overthrow,  tranquillity  conuuujil 
nearly  forty  years.  The  Massachusetts  government  maintained  friendly  i  i:rion» 
with  the  Indians,  allowing  them  even  wlieii  unconverted  to  settle  within  i;-;  juri?- 
diction.  The  conditions  recpiired,  as  stated  by  Winthrop,  with  their  answers. 
are  somewhat  curious  : — They  were  not  to  blaspheme,  but  to  revere  tlie  true 
God.— Ans.  They  would  always  desire  to  speak  reverentially  of  the  English- 
men's God,  who  did  so  much  better  for  them  than  other  gods  did  for  their  wor- 
shippers, 'i'hey  should  not  work  on  the  sabbath.— Ans.  They  worked  so  little 
any  day,  that  they  need  not  object  to  this  article.  They  should  not  swear  false- 
ly.— Auh  They  never  swore  at  all.  They  should  not  permit  murder,  lying,  or 
other  crimes. — Ans.  All  these  they  condemned  already.  A  number  of  them,  as 
will  be  afterward  observed,  were  even  converted  to  Christianity.  A  disposition 
arose  to  imitate  the  English,  and  even  to  assume  their  names  ;  those  of  King 
Philip,  Stonewall  John,  and  Sagamore  Sam,  were  borne  by  powerful  chiefs. 

As  the  colonists  multiplied,  and  the  circle  of  settlement  extended,  the  natives 
could  not  but  feel  for  how  paltry  a  price  they  had  sold  their  once  spacious  birth- 
right. The  enlarged  frontier  aflbrded  new  occa.sions  of  dispute  ;  and  the  Indians, 
when  wronged,  instead  of  appealing  to  the  general  court,  took  vengeance  with 
their  own  hands.  When  charged  with  offences,  they  were  tried  according  to 
the  rigor  of  English  law — a  treatment  altogether  foreign  to  their  ideas.  There 
was  no  general  confederacy,  nor  even  any  deliberate  purpose  of  commencing 
hostilities.  A  member  of  one  of  the  tribes,  having  given  information  against 
certain  of  his  countrymen,  fell  a  victim  to  their  resentment ;  but  the  murderers 
were  condemned  to  death  by  a  jury,  of  whom  half  were  Indians.  In  revenge, 
a  small  party  of  English  were  surprised  and  slain  ;  and  immediately  war  broke 
out  along  the  whole  border. 

The  Indians  were  now  much  more  formidable  than  in  the  first  contest.     Du- 
ring the  long  interval  they  had  eagerly  sought  to  procure  the  superior  arms 
wielded  by  Europeans  ;  and  commercial  avidity  had  supplied  them.     They  had 
attained  no  discipline,  and  could  not  contend  in  the  open  field ;  but  the  English 
«oon  learned  to  dread  an  enemy  whose  habitations,  says  Mather,  "  were  the 
dark  places  of  the  earth ;'  who,  at  moments  the  most  unexpected,  rushing  from 
the  depth  of  forests,  surrounded  and  overwhelmed  them.     The  war  began  with 
the  burning  of  frontier  villages,  and  the  slaughter  of  detached  parties.     Beers, 
one  of  the  bravest  captains,  was  surprised  and  killed  with  twenty  of  his  follow- 
ers.    Then  came  a  more  "  black  and  fatal  day."     Lothrop  commanded  with 
reputation  a  body  of  fine  young  men,  the  flower  of  the  county  of  Essex,  who, 
having  piled  their  arms  on  wagons,  were  securely  reposing  and  plucking  grapes 
when  the  alarm  was  given.     After  a  desperate  resistance  they  were  cut  off, 
only  a  mere  handful  escaping.     This  was  followed  by  the  "  Springfield  misery." 
That  village,  the  most  important  on  the  boundary,  was   broken  into,  and  every 
building  reduced  to  ashes,  except  a  large  one,  which,  being  slightly  fortified 
supplied  a  refuge  to  the  inhabitants.     Others  soon  shared  the  same  fate,  in  cir- 
cumstances still  more  tragical.     A  boast  was  at  first  made  that  no  place  with  a 
church  had  been  sacked,  but  this  was  soon  belied  ;  and  the  Indians,  according 
to  ideas  prevalent  among  savages,  considered  themselves  at  war  at  once   with 
the  English  and  with  their  gods.     In  a  captured  village,  their  first  step  was  to 
reduce  the  meeting-house  to  ashes  ;  and  in  torturing  their  captives,  they  deridei 
the  objects  of  their   worship,  for  the   want  of  power  to  save  them.     After  kill- 
ing the  men,  they  carried  away  the  women  and  children  ;  and,  though  the  honor 
of  the  former  was  not  threatened,  they  were  treated  with  dreadful  cruelty.     Foi 
example  they  were  compelled  to  follow  rapid  marches,  which  at  this  time  wert 


age8>  and 


conUiiU-.-J 

^1  .'isrioiiR 

answers, 
the   true 
Enslisli- 
their  wor- 
ld so  little 
vear  false- 
,  lying,  or 
if  them,  as 
lisposition 
e  of  King 
chiefs, 
he  natives 
ious  birth- 
le  Indians, 
ance  with 
cording  to 
s.     There 
immencing 
in  against 
murderers 
n  revenge, 
war  broke 

itest.     Du- 
erior  arms 

They  had 
he  English 
"  were  the 
shing  from 
began  with 
ss.  Beers, 
his  foUow- 
inded  with 
^ssex,  who, 
iing  grapes 
ere  cut  off, 
lid  misery." 

and  every 
ly  fortified 
fate,  in  cir- 
iace  with  a 
1,  according 

once  with 
step  was  to 
hey  deridef 
After  kill- 
[h  the  honor 
uelty.  Foi 
s  time  were 


OF  Till-:   .WIKKIC.W   UKVOLUTIJN 


77 


t'^uep'.,  an    when  found  unequal  to  the  effort,  were  killed  at  once  by  blows  on 
vhe  hoad. 

The  colonijts  were  doul)iy  perplexed  and  dismayed  by  these  disasters.  Im^ 
Vued  with  a  belief,  beyond  vvhat  the  usual  course  of  Providence  justifies,  that 
«very  calamity  was  a  judgment  for  some  great  iniquity,  they  anxiously  sought 
nrhy  "  the  Lord  no  longer  went  forth  with  their  armies."  Mather  quotes  a  letter 
rom  a  leading  man  in  the  camp,  imputing  it  to  the  luxury  which  wealth  had 
woduced  among  the  citizens  of  Bobion — "  their  intolerable  pride  in  clothes 
md  hair,"  and  the  multiplication  of  taverns.  The  neglect  of  religion  and  of  its 
ninisters  was  of  course  blamed ;  unfortunately,  too,  the  increase  of  schism  and 
.ven  the  slender  toleration  which  had  begun  to  be  granted.  Days  of  fajting 
vere  appointed  ;  but  they  were  astounded  when  one  of  the  most  solemn  was 
oUowed  by  the  catastrophe  of  Lothrop,  from  which  they  drew  the  salutary 
inference  that  "  praying  without  reforming  would  not  do."  These  views  did 
not  prevent  them  from  using  regular  means  of  warfare,  of  which  the  attack  of 
ihe  fortified  villages  was  found  the  most  effective.  In  the  midst  of  winter,  one 
thousand  men  marched  against  the  mainhold  of  the  Narragansets.  They 
rushed  to  the  onset ;  and  after  a  dreadful  conflict  it  was  carried,  and  reduced  to 
ashes — the  Indians  perishing  in  vast  numbers.  But  the  colonists,  appalled  by 
their  own  loss  of  three  hundred  killed  and  wounded,  including  their  six  bravest 
leaders,  retreated  in  great  confusion :  the  enemy,  however,  were  overwhelmed 
by  their  disaster,  which  they  never  fully  recovered.  In  spring,  indeed,  they  re- 
sumed their  wonted  warfare,  but  with  diminished  means  and  spirit ;  and  in 
May,  another  of  their  principal  settlements  was  destroyed.  Driven  from  their 
cultivated  spots,  anr'  finding  shelter  only  in  woods  and  marshes,  they  suffered 
increasing  hardship'  >  and  privations.  Discontent  and  disunion  were  the  conse- 
quence ;  several  of  the  tribes  began  to  make  their  submission,  when  pardon  was 
granted.  Two  hundred  laid  down  their  arms  at  Plymouth ;  and  Sagamore  John 
came  in  with  one  hundred  and  eighty,  bringing  also  Matoonas,  accused  as  the 
author  of  this  dreadful  war.  In  the  course  of  it  had  been  formed  skilful  oflicers, 
particularly  Captain  Church,  who  displayed  singular  talents  in  this  desultory 
contest.  In  August  he  came  up  with  Philip  himself,  who  was  completely  routed, 
and  fled  almost  alone.  Hunted  from  j-iace  to  place,  he  was  traced  to  the  centre 
of  a  morass,  where  he  was  betrayed  and  shot  by  one  of  his  own  people.  The 
spirit  of  the  Indians  then  entirely  sunk ;  and  all  who  survived  either  emigrated 
to  a  distance,  or  submitted  without  reserve  to  the  English  power. 

XI.  Notwithstanding  the  paramount  importance  to  which  New  York  has  at- 
tained, its  early  settlement  was  not  accompanied  by  such  striking  circumstances 
as  marked  those  of  some  other  colonies. 

About  the  year  1600,  the  attention  of  the  English  and  Dutch  had  been  direct- 
ed to  the  discovery  of  a  northern  passage  to  India,  which  they  hoped  might  at 
once  be  shorter,  and  enable  them  to  escape  the  still  formidable  hostility  of  Spain. 
After  this  object  had  been  vainly  pursued  by  Frobisher,  Davis,  Barentz,  and 
other  navigators,  it  was  resumed  by  Henry  Hudson.  Though  a  native  of  Hol- 
land, he  was  first  employed  by  a  company  of  English  merchants,  when  he  made 
the  daring  effort  to  cross  the  pole  itself,  and  penetrated  farther  in  that  direction 
than  any  of  his  predecessors  ;  but  the  icy  barriers  compelled  him  to  return.  He 
next  attempted  an  eastern  passage,  between  Nova  Zembia  and  Spitzbergen,  but 
again  failed.  His  jiatrons  in  London  then  lost  courage  ;  but  he,  animated  by  the 
same  ardor,  solicited  and  obtained  from  the  Dutch  East  India  Company  a  small 
vessel  named  the  Crescent,  to  renew  his  researches.  After  another  abortive  en- 
deavor at  an  eastern  passage,  he  appears  to  have  finally  renounced  that  object ; 
and  steering  toward  the  west,  began  to  explore  the  American  coast,  from  New 
foundland  southward.     It  had,  indeed,  been  to  a  great  extent  both  discovered 


'M% 


:;<»!^'ySs^^W(iei^@s^@^&liifi£s%«^«^^^%^M;.4^vi^s^ 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


79 


iv- 


and  settled,  yet  not  in  such  continuity  as  to  preclude  the  hope  of  finding  a  deep 
bay  leading  to  the  Pacific,  and  through  it  to  the  East  Indies.  In  the  beginning  o/ 
July,  he  reached  the  Great  bank,  and  continued  his  course  cautiously  along  the 
shores  of  Acadia.     In  forty-four  degrees  he  touched  at  the  mouth  of  a  spacious 
river,  which  appears  to  have  been  the  Penobscot,  where  the  French  were  found 
carrying  on  a  very  active  trade.     In  passing  Cape  Cod,  his  people   landed  at 
several  points,  and  held  intercourse  with  the  natives.     They  then  pursued  rheir 
course  through  the  open  sea,  till,  on  the  IVth  of  August,  they  came  in  sight  of  a 
low  land,  and  soon  afterward  found  themselves  off  the  bar  of  James  river,  where 
they  understood  that  the  English  had  formed  a  settlement.     No  opening  having 
yet  occurred,  it  seemed  expedient  to  return  northward,  keeping  closer  to  the 
coast.     They  found  it  running  northwest,  and  entered  a  great  bay  with  rivers 
evidently  that  of  Delaware.     The  water  was  so  shoally,  however,  as  to  prevent 
its  exploration,  unless  in  pinnaces  drawing  only  four  or  five  feet.     They  pro- 
ceeded therefore  to  the  coast  now  called  New  Jersey,  and  were  involved  in  the 
range  of  islands  running  parallel  to  it.     The  navigation  was  very  difficult  on  ac- 
count of  storms  and  frequent  shallows.     At  length  Hudson  came  to  a  continuous 
land,  good  and  pleasant,  rising  boldly  from  the  sea,  and  bounded  by  high  hills. 
He  appeared  to  discover  the  mouths  of  three  great  rivers,  which,  however,  could 
only  be  different  channels,  separated  by  islands,  of  the  great  stream  now  bearing 
his  name.     Boats  were  sent  to  sound  the  most  northern  of  them,  which  was 
found  to  afford  a  good  depth  of  water.     They  entered  it,  and  were  soon  visited 
by  large  parties  of  natives  in  canoes,  when  a  friendly  exchange  took  place,  of 
tobacco  and  maize  for  knives  and  beads.     Unfortunately,  a  boat  being  sent  to 
examine  one  of  the  other  channels,  was  assailed  by  twenty  of  the  savages  in 
two  skiffs,  one  of  the  seamen  killed,  and  two  wounded.     This  unhappy  event 
poisoned  the  future  intercourse  with  the  Indians,  whose  friendly  professions  were 
henceforth  considered  as  made  only  with  a  view  to  betray  them.     At  one  place, 
twenty-eight  canoes,  full  of  men,  women,  and  children,  approached  and  made 
overtures  for  trade  ;  but  their  intentions  being  considered  evil,  they  were  not 
allowed  to  come  on  board.     In  ascending,  the  Hudson  was  found  to  be  a  noble 
stream,  a  mile  broad,  and  bordered  by  lofty  mountains.     Seventeen  days  after 
entering  it,  the  vessel,  being  embarrassed  by  shoals,  stopped  at  a  point  where  a 
small  city  has  since  been  built,  bearing  the  name  of  the  discoverer.     A  boat 
sailed  eight  or  nine  leagues  higher,  somewhat  above  the  site  of  Albany,  where 
it  was  clear  that  the  ship  could  not  proceed  farther.     In  this  upper  tract,  the  in- 
tercourse with  the  natives  was  very  friendly,  and  even  the  suspicions  of  the  crew 
were  lulled.     One  party  came  on  board,  who,  being  freely  treated   with  wine 
ard  aquavitsB,  became  all  merry,  and  one  completely  tipsy,  the  efl'ects  of  whicli 
caused  to  his  companions  the  greatest  surprise.     On  the  way  down,  they  were 
repeatedly  attacked  by  the  large  body   which  in  ascending  had  excited  their 
jealousy.     On  each  occasion,  a  discharge  of  musketry,  killing  two  or  three, 
caused  all  the  rest  to  take  flight.     On  leaving  the  river,  Hudson  made  directly 
for  Europe,  and  arrived  at  Dartmouth  on  the  7th  Noveuiber,  1609. 

He  transmitted  to  the  Dutch  company  a  flattering  report  of  the  country  which 
he  had  discovered,  strongly  recommending  a  settlement.  It  has  even  been  said, 
that  he  sold  his  rights  to  them,  which  seems  quite  erroneous,  as  in  fact  he  could 
not  be  said  to  possess  any.  He  was  not  even  allowed  to  i'ollow  up  this  impor- 
tatii  discovery,  but  was  obliged  again  to  seek  employment  from  the  English  mer- 
chants. By  them,  in  1610,  he  was  sent  out  on  that  remarkable  voyage,  during 
which  he  explored  the  great  bay  to  which  his  name  is  attached,  but  unhappily 
fell  a  sacrifice  to  the  mutiny  of  a  turbulent  crew. 

Ths  Dutch,  however,  in  virtue  of  this  discovery,  claimed  the  country,  and  in 
1610  a  few  individuals  fitted  out  a  vessel  for  traffic      Several  stations  wera 


&X4^i3i:isi*iiS*ss**'-**w**«Maj«i*iiis;f«^^ 


OF  THE  AMEIUCAN  KE VOLUTION. 


fh 


Inrmc'l  on  'ho  islaiul  of  MaiihatTan  (the  name  thcMi  {riven  to  New  York),  hut  no 
attempt  was  niadtMo  colonize.  In  161'?,  ihey  'veru  visited  hy  Argall,  the  ad 
venturous  English  captain,  who  compelled  them  to  own  tiie  dominion  of  his 
countrv  ;  hut  as  no  steps  were  taken  to  follow  up  this  advant:i<re,  they  ccxttinued 
as  before  to  trade  with  the  natives,  and  consider  the  land  their  own.  In  1614, 
a  grant  of  exclusive  commerce  was  made  to  a  company  of  merciianis.  wlio  there- 
upon erected  a  rude  fort,  and  pushed  their  operations  as  high  as  Albany.  They 
appeal  at  the  same  time  to  have  formed  a  station  at  the  month  of  the  Connecti- 
cut. 

In  1620,  an  American  settlement  was  attempted  on  a  grander  s<ale,  i)y  the  for- 
mation of  the  Dutch  West  India  (Jnmpany.  incorporated  for  twenty-four  years, 
'('heir  privileges  included  tlie  whole  western  coast  of  .\frica.  as  far  as  the  Cape, 
with  all  tlie  eastern  shores  of  America,  from  Newfoundland  to  the  Straits  ot 
.Magellan.  Over  thi-^  vast  extent  they  had  ilie  exclusive  right  to  conchidc  trea- 
ties, carry  on  war,  and  exercise  all  the  functions  of  gov.^rnini'nt  No  notice  was 
t;!iven  in  tlie  grant,  that  the  wliolc  of  this  territory  was  claimed,  and  manv  parts 
occupied,  b\  other  European  nations  ;  nor  did  the  goverrmieiif,  in  making  this 
vast  donation  of  what  was  not  their  own,  promise  the  means  of  placing  it  in  the 
company's  hands.  Their  possessions,  accordingly,  were  fiercely  disputed,  aufj 
most  precariously  held.  The  weakness  of  the  I'ortngut  se  crown  luabled  them 
to  grasp  large  portions  of  its  territory  in  Brazil  and  t)n  the  .\fric;ni  coast.  In 
North  America,  they  did  not  venture  to  measure  their  strength  with  the  English 
hut  were  content  silently  to  enlarge  their  stations  on  the  Hudson,  which  the  lat- 
ter showed  no  disposition  to  occupy.  The  country  was  called  New  Nether- 
lands ;  and  an  increasing  cluster  of  cottages,  where  New  York  now  stands,  was 
named  New  .Amsterdam. 

As  yet  there  was  nothing  that  could  be  denominated  a  colony  ;  but  in  1629, 
government  interposed  to  establish  one  on  a  considerable  scale.  It  was  planned 
on  quite  an  aristocratic  basis  ;  for  though  lands  were  granted  to  detached  set- 
tlers, the  chief  dependance  was  on  opulent  individuals,  who  were  expected  to 
carry  out  bodies  of  tenants  at  their  own  expanse  ;  and  those  who  should  trans- 
port fifty  became  lords  of  manors,  holding  the  ab.solute  property  of  the  is/ids  thus 
colonized.  They  might  even  possess  tracts  sixteen  miles  long,  ar  il  be  furnished 
with  negroes,  if  they  could  profitably  do  so.  Several  of  them  began  to  found 
these  manors  ;  two,  Godyn  and  De  Vries,  led  out  thirty  setilers  to  the  head  of 
tlie  Delaware,  laying  the  first  foundation  of  that  state  ;  but  the  latter  having  vis 
lied  home,  found  on  his  return  thai  it  had  been  attacked  by  the  /wdians,  and  to- 
tally destroyed.  The  whole  colony  was  unprosperous,  and  vfry  jwrd  pressed 
on  different  sides.  The  New  England  settlement  in  Connect.'  '  ioor.  surround- 
ed their  little  station,  obliged  th<;m  to  give  v-ay,  ann  even  to  iOandon  part  of 
Long  Island.  At  the  same  time,  the  Swed".'.  then  in  the  heiglil  tif  their  power, 
Under  Gustavus  Adolphus.  plaimcd  a  sett. emriiit,  which  was  zealously  supp'^ted 
by  that  great  monarch,  who  subscrilied  400,000  df»llars  in  its  favor.  'T^ifyHf^A 
on  the  bay  of  Delaware  ;  and  thou^'i  Kieft.  the  gov,  ro n  .sent  from  Holland,  en- 
tered a  protest  he  did  not  venture  to  employ  force  against  liie  conqueror  of  Ii<K- 
zen.  Moreover,  fyord  Baltimore,  having  just  obtained  his  patent  extcndiog 
northward  to  the  latitude  of  forty  degrees,  intimated  his  claim  to  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  Dutcli  territory.  All  these  annoyances,  however,  were  small  com 
pared  to  the  Indian  war,  in  which  the  atrocious  violence  of  Kieft  involved  the 
eulony.  Attacking  by  surprise  a  party  who  had  shown  dow  hostile  dispositmns, 
he  commenced  a  general  massacre,  in  which  nearly  a  hundred  j,erished.  Hence 
laged  during  two  years  a  contest,  accompanied  by  the  usual  Itorrors  ain!  calami- 
i;,'S,  i;nd  which  effectually  checked  the  prog'ess  of  New  Neih^-rlands.  At  length 
»  treaty  was  negotiated,  in  which  the  five  nations  were  included. 

6 


?K;j&w»*i. 


-i„„.vj,~i.„v 


82 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


A  few  years  after,  in  161G,  t\8  governor  was  recalled,  to  the  great  satisfactior 
of  the  people,  and  was  succeeded  by  Sluyvesant,a  military  officer  of  distinctioi 
brave,  honest,  and  with  some  tincture  of  letters.  Adopting  a  wise  and  humtine 
policy  toward  the  Indians,  he  succeeded  in  obviating  any  disturbance  from  thai 
quarter.  By  negotiation  with  the  company,  he  obtanied  a  release  from  those 
irannnels  by  which  commerce  had  hitherto  been  fettered,  substituting  moderate 
duties  on  exports  and  imports.  He  suflered,  however,  mi.ch  trouble  from  the 
English,  who  were  continually  extending  their  frontier  on  and  beyond  the  Con- 
necticut, and  set  scarcelv  my  limit  to  their  claims.  The  settlors  discouraged 
greatly  any  idea  of  goinj,  to  war  with  so  powerful  a  neighbor,  and  exhorted  him 
to  gain  tin;  best  terms  he  could  i)y  treaty.  By  large  concessions  he  obtained  a 
provisional  compact,  which  was  never  indefd  ratified  in  England,  yet  obtained 
for  his  people  some  security,  btuyv  esant  then  turned  his  eyes  on  the  other  sidt 
to  the  Swedish  colony,  which  had  prospered  and  become  a  commercial  rival 
I:  was  much  inferior,  however,  to  New  Netherlands,  while  the  death  of  Gusta 
Tus  and  of  Ids  great  ministers  and  generals,  succeeded  by  the  fantastic  sway  ol 
Christina,  rendered  her  country  no  longer  formidable.  He,  therefore,  with  the) 
sanction  of  nis  employers,  determined  to  reannex  it,  Jbr  which  some  violent  pro- 
ceedings on  the  pa-rt  of  Rising,  the  governor,  afforded  a  fair  pretext.  Having 
assembled  a  force  of  tiOO  men,  he  marched  into  New  Sweden,  as  it  was  termed, 
which,  aftei  a  short  resistance,  renounced  that  name,  and  became  incorporated 
with  the  Dutch  dependency.  A  few  of  the  settlers  returned  to  their  native 
country;  the  rest  yielded  to  the  mild  sway  of  the  conqueror.  Stuyvesam  was 
nexl  annoyed  by  Lord  Baltimore,  who  could  boast  that  his  charter  entitled  him 
to  extend  his  borders  to  New  England,  leaving  no  room  whatever  for  New 
Netherlands  ;  but  as  his  pretensions  were  not  supported  by  any  adequate  force, 
they  were  easily  evaded. 

The  company,  though  they  did  not  grant  any  political  franchises  to  the  colo- 
nists, took  great  care  to  have  them  well  governed,  and  to  check  those  desjwtic 
practices  in  which  Stuyvesant  from  his  military  habits,  was  prone  to  indulge. 
They  prohibited  likewise  all  persecution,  and  studied  to  make  the  country  a 
refuge  for  jirofessors  of  every  creed.  From  France,  the  Low  Countries,  the 
Rhine,  Northern  Germany,  Bohemia,  the  mountains  of  Piedmont,  the  suH'ering 
proiestants  Hocked  to  this  trunsatlaniic  asylum.  Even  the  New  Englanders,  al- 
lured by  the  line  cliirale  and  ferti'e  soil,  arrived  in  great  numb  ;s,  and  lormed 
entire  villages.  It  therefore  became  expedient  to  have  a  sccr^  lary  of  their  na- 
tion, and  to  issue  proclamations  in  French  and  English,  as  well  as  Dutch.  To 
augment  the  variety,  the  company  introduced  as  many  negro  slaves  as  they  con 
venienlly  could.  New  York  became,  as  Mr.  Bancroft  terms  it,  a  city  of  the 
world  ;  its  luhabiti'.nis  termed  themselves  a  blended  community  of  various  line- 
age. Unluckily  lor  the  Dutch,  the  protectants  ol  that  age  carried  generally  with 
them  an  ardent  altachmeni  to  civil  liberty,  which  was  pushed  to  its  utmost  height 
by  those  of  New  Kngland.  Their  views  soon  found  favor  in  the  eyes  even  ol 
the  Hollanders  ;  for,  tliough  some  of  the  iiK^re  opulent  were  adverse  to  any  verj 
broail  popular  institutions,  they  could  not  forbear  joining  in  the  objection  to  bf 
laxed  without  ilieir  own  consent.  Innovations  of  tins  nature,  it  appeared,  were 
4(^reeal)U'  neither  to  the  company  nor  the  governor.  The  colonists,  having  seui 
over  a  lieputation  to  the  former  obtained  a  few  muni-Jipal  privileges,  but  none  oi 
the.  nght.-i'of  a  representative  ,(;oveniment.  Such  was  thetr  perseverym;'-,  how- 
over,  that  ihey  erected  one  lor  themselves,  by  calling  two  depu'.ies  from  each 
village  ,  an)  the  i-ody  thu.-  ass*«»^;|ed  presented  a  rufjionstrance  tu  Stuyvesant, 
claiming  i\rt'  (heir  ':on»ent  s!iouf/J  M  necessary  to  the  enacliiipnt  of  new  laws 
and  even  »«  ti,.  i^pointmeni  of  officers.  He  received  tliis  address  extreradly 
ill,  and  bi'.'.srlv  tsmonchui]  them  with  ^ielJin|  to  the   visionary  noiioiiS  of  thf 


.■jhitti.-.-  «v.^f»,i  rtBl:a-f..,-'~T'J-i«utlil.': 


•-A^*«.W„  .^■r- !.»<..:       i  i,_ 


M 


THE    PICTORIAL   HISTORY 


New  Engliuiders  ;  stating  that  the  laws  were  good,  and  would  continue  to  be 
well  executed,  but  could  not  he  allowed  to  emanate  from  the  wavering  multitude 
He  derived  his  authority  only  from  Ood  and  the  West  India  Company,  who 
would  never  become  responsible  to  the'r  own  subjects.  The  remonstrants  were 
therefore  commanded,  under  a  severe  penalty,  immediately  to  disperse.  In  this 
the  company  firmly  Bupported  their  governor,  directing  that  the  people  should  no 
longer  indulge  the  visionary  dream  that  taxes  could  be  imposed  only  with  theii 
own  consent.  They,  however,  cherished  a  deep  dissatisfaction,  which,  though  i 
did  not  break  out  into  open  violence,  indisposed  them  to  make  any  exertions  in 
support  of  a  government  under  which  they  enjoyed  no  rights.  This  became  of  a 
serious  consequence  in  the  crisis  that  was  now  approaching. 

Considering  the  long  and  embittered  hostility  of  England  against  the  Dutch,  ii 
may  appear  wonderful  that  she  did  not  sooner  attempt  the  conquest  of  a  valuable 
noasession,  to  which  she  had  so  ])lausibli'  a  t  tie.  Cromwell,  in  fact,  had  projected 


Flo.  35. — Portrait  ol'  Oliver  Cnunwell. 

H,  but  was  diverted  by  other  objects.  Charles  II.,  always  prejudiced  against 
mat  people,  soon  adopted  ihe  same  resolution  ;  and  ev«;n  before  any  measure 
was  taken  for  conquering  the  country,  he  included  it  in  a  grant  made  to  his 
brother  James,  of  the  territory  from  the  Kennebec  to  tuv5  St.  Croix,  and  from  the 
Connecticut  to  the  Delaware.  To  make  good  this  donation,  Sir  Robert  Nichols 
was  sent  out  with  an  expedition,  to  be  reinforced  by  a  detachment  from  another 
colony.  The  Dutch  had  for  iome  ♦.ime  foreseen  the  crisis  ;  but  unwilling  to  ex 
pend  their  funds  in  sending  rrtops,  they  urged  the  governor  to  seek  means  of 
defence  within  his  own  dominions.  This,  from  ;  ircumstances  already  stated, 
was  exceedingly  difficult ;  and  though  Stuyvesaiit,  in  this  emergency,  granted 
their  demand  for  a  representative  assembly,  it  was  too  late  to  inspire  confidence 
and  the  people  declined  making  any  sacrifices  to  repel  a  power  from  whom  they 
hoped  more  liberal  treatment.  In  August,  1664,  Nichols  cast  anchor  in  lace  of 
New  Amsterdam,  having  landed  part  of  his  troops  on  Long  Island.     Hj.  imme- 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


85 


diately  summoned  the  city  to  surrender,  guarantying  to  the  people  *heir  property 
rlie  rights  of  citizens,  their  ancien*  laws  and  usages.  The  governor  attempted 
by  delay  and  negotiation  to  parry  the  blow ;  but  the  other  declined  all  discus 
sion,  and  the  principal  inhabitants,  headed  by  Winthrop  from  Connecticut,  as- 
sembling in  the  town-hall,  determined  against  offering  any  resistance.  They 
drew  up  articles  of  surrender  conformable  to  the  demand  of  the  English  cifficer, 
which,  however,  Stuyvesant  refused  to  sign  till  the  place  was  actually  in  the 
cntmy's  hands. 

XII.  The  history  of  New  England  exhibits  the  extravagance  indulged  in 
'ly  the  quakers.  Carrying  to  an  undue  length  that  religious  movement  which 
produced  the  Reformation,  they  relinquished  a  proper  regard  not  only  to  forms 
and  ordinances,  but  to  reason,  and,  in  some  degree,  to  scripture,  yielding  them- 
selves in  a  great  measure  to  the  guidance  of  visions  and  inward' illuminations. 
They  constituted  at  this  period,  as  already  observed,  the  extreme  of  the  ultra- 
niotestant  section,  which  thenceforth  began  to  recede  from  its  too  forward  posi- 
tion. Not  only  did  no  similar  sects  spring  up,  but  they  themselves  gradually 
j:nmed  away  the  exaggerated  features  of  their  system.  They  assumed  even  a 
remarkably  sedate  character,  and  retaining  still  their  deep  devotional  feeling, 
with  only  a  few  outward  peculiarities,  distinguished  themselves  in  the  walks  of 
life  by  practical  philanthropy.  In  this  chastened  and  reformed  quakerism,  the 
lead  was  taken  by  William  Penn,  one  of  th<'  most  illustrious  characters  of  modern 


Fio.  36 — Portrait  of  William  Penn. 
times.  Born  to  rank  and  distinction,  son  of  an  admiral  who  had  attained  celeb- 
rity under  Cromwell  by  the  conquest  of  Jamaica,  he  embraced  at  college  his 
persecuted  cause,  and  devoted  himself  to  it  throughout  his  whole  Hie.  Refusing 
to  retract  or  compromise  his  views,  he  was  expelled  from  his  father's  house,  be- 
coming amenable  to  all  the  rigors  then  enforced  against  eccentric  modes  of  re- 
ligious Torship  and  teaching.  He  indulged  at  first  in  curtain  extravagances  ; 
bu*  ening  years,  combined  with  extetisive  study,  and  travel  over  a  great  part 
l5';rope,  enlarged  his  mind,  and  while  retaining  the  same  devoted  attachment 
•0  what  was  valuable  in  his  system,  he  purified  it  from  its  principal  errors.  His 
steady  course  of  christian  kindness  gained  for  him  the  general  esteem  of  the 
public,  and  ultimately  led  to  a  reconciliation  with  his  parent,  who  bequeathed  tf 
lAim  the  whole  of  his  property. 


^?;^i^3^5J3iiifiC-V'';r?6^*SK(BJ<*tffc  -  ^SS^SS^m^^^^G  jb^S^* Wi'i'l'-jS&aiir*J^*^9*^^i  'S,'J-iW 


5  LS'^f£*^-!tii3Se*iSafeSKFi'.'*--»*--*T--?^' ' 


86 


THE    PICTORIAL   HISTORY 


Among  the  tenets  of  this  school,  w'tiich  Penn  at  all  times  advocated  with  the 
utmost  zeal,  was  that  of  complete  liberty  in  religious  opinion  and  worship,  it 
became,  indeed,  a  leading  object  of  his  life  to  render  himself  a  shield  not  only  to 
his  own  people  but  to  all  who  on  this  ground  were  exposed  to  suffering  and  per- 
secution. Unable  as  yet  fully  to  accomplish  his  end  in  the  old  world,  he  con- 
ceived the  plan  of  providing  for  th>  ni,  in  the  new  continent,  an  asylum  similar  to 
that  of  their  pilgrim  ancestors.  By  founding  there  a  state  open  to  the  votaries 
of  every  faith,  he  might,  he  hoped,  fu..''.i  his  benevolent  purpose,  and  at  lh«;  same 
time  secure  for  himself  a  degree  of  importance  and  wealth.  He  possessed,  in 
virtue  of  his  father's  services,  a  claim  on  government,  estimated  atjE16,000; 
but  after  a  long  delay,  amid  the  exigencies  of  the  court,  he  could  not  withoui 
difficulty  have  rendered  it  effective  in  any  shape,  except  for  one  favorable  cir- 
cumstance. He  enjoyed  the  favor  both  of  Charles  II.  and  James  II.,  and  was 
always  a  welcome  /'uest  at  Whitehall.  This  intercourse  with  princes  whose 
character  was  so  unlike  his  own,  excited  in  that  age  a  feeling  of  surprise  which 
we  can  scarcely  avoid  sharing.  The  most  injurious  surmises  arose — he  was 
represented  as  a  papist,  and  even  a  Jesuit.  He  seems,  however,  to  have  clearly 
proved,  that  he  never  concurred  in  any  of  the  illegal  measures  of  those  rulers, 
but  employed  his  influence  almost  solely  with  the  view  of  obtaining  protection 
for  those  numerous  sufferers  in  whom  he  took  so  deep  an  interest.  Had  his 
object  bee:i  money,  he  must  have  encountered  many  obstacles  in  obtaining  it 
from  the  dilapidated  treasury  of  Charles.  It  was  much  easier  to  get  the  royal 
assent  respecting  a  desert  region  beyond  the  Atlantic,  whence  no  immediate  ben- 
efit was  to  be  derived.  His  petition,  being  presented  in  June,  1680,  was  referred 
to  the  agents  of  the  Duke  of  York  and  Lord  Baltimore,  who  declared  it  to  be  un- 
objectionable, provided  the  rights  of  these  individuals  were  preserved  inviolate. 
Penn,  therefore,  submitted  the  draft  of  a  charter,  which,  after  being  revi.sed  by 
Chief  Justice  North  and  the  Bishop  of  London,  wa «  oassed  under  the  seal-royal. 
It  granted  to  him  the  tract  in  America  extending  mrrlhward  from  the  40th  to  the 
43d  degree  of  latitude,  and  five  degrees  of  longitude  westward,  from  a  boundarj' 
line  drawn  twelve  miles  from  Newcastle  on  tho  Delaware.  Nearly  the  same 
privileges  were  conceded  as  were  formerly  granted  to  Lord  Baltimore.  The 
prop 'ietor  was  empowered  to  dispose  of  the  lands  in  fee-simple,  to  levy  taxes 
with  consent  of  the  freemen  or  their  delegates,  to  erect  courts  of  justice,  and 
(what  one  might  scarcely  have  expected)  to  raise  forces  for  the  defence  of  the 
province  by  sea  and  land.  There  was  reserved,  however,  the  sovereignty  of 
the  crown,  and  its  claim  to  allegiance,  also  an  appeal  from  the  courts  to  the  king 
in  council,  and  the  right  of  parliament  to  levy  ctistom-duties.  The  acts  passed 
by  the  assembly  and  the  owner  were  to  be  transmitted  within  five  years  to  his 
majesty,  and  if  considered  unconstitutional,  might  be  disallowed.  The  Bishop 
of  London  stipulated  for  the  reception  of  a  preacher,  as  soon  as  one  should  bo 
requested  by  twenty  of  the  settlers. 

Invested  with  these  ample  powers,  Penn  proceeded  to  give  to  the  colony  a 
constitution,  on  a  very  liberal  tuoting.  A  council  of  seventy-two,  elected  by  the 
body  of  the  people,  and  having  a  third  of  their  number  renewed  every  year,  car- 
ried on  the  executive  goven'meni,  in  conjunction  with  the  proprietor,  who  was 
allowed  three  votes.  This  body  was  divided  into  four  committees,  of  plantation, 
trade,  justice,  and  education.  They  prepared  the  bills  and  propositions  .>vhich 
were  submitted  to  the  general  assembly,  also  elected  by  the  people.  They 
were  to  sit  nine  days  oidy,  during  eight  of  which  they  were  to  consider  tne  [iro- 
posals  made  by  the  council,  and  on  the  ninth  to  pronounce  their  deciMon.  This 
system,  said  to  have  been  copied  chiefly  from  the  Oceana  of  Harrington,  wai 
not  very  well  fitted  for  practical  purposes,  and  had  not  a  long  duration. 

Penn  now  circulated  widely  his  proposals  through  Britain.,  France,  and  Ger- 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 


87 


wai 


many ,  .he  opprps.sed  nnJ  iiiipoverisliod  of  every  class  being  invited  to  this  land 
of  promise  He  recommended  it  not  only  to  those  who  sulTered  under  religious 
pfrsecution,  hut  "  to  industrious  laborers  and  handicraftsmen — ingenious  spirits 
inv  in  the  world — younger  brothers  of  small  inheritances,  instead  of  haging  on 
as  retainers  on  their  elder  brothers'  table  and  charity — lastly,  to  men  of  an  uni- 
versal spirit,  who  have  an  eye  to  the  good  of  posterity."  The  necessary  ex- 
pense of  conveyance  was  stated  to  be — for  an  adult  jC5,  a  child  under  twelve 
£2,  10a.,  goods  £2  per  ton.  Those  who  could  not  afford  even  this  moderate 
amount,  were  informed  that,  on  engaging  with  emigrants  ot  [<roperty  for  a  service 
of  four  years,  not  only  would  their  passage  be  defrayed,  but  at  the  end  of  the 
term  ihey  would  receive  50  acres,  at  2*.  quitrent.  An  extent  if  3,000  acres 
was  sold  for  jClOO,  with  50s.  quitrent,  commencing  only  in  1684.  Those  who 
preferred  might  pay  merely  a  quitrent  of  id.  an  acre,  or  £20,  16s.  8d.  Smaller 
tracts  were  disposed  of  at  corresponding  prices.  Poor  men  were  allowed  50 
acres  at  ^d.  per  acre. 

These  advantageous  terms,  the  troubled  state  of  Europe,^and  the  high  char- 
acter of  the  proprietor,  caused  his  proposals  to  be  received  with  general  favor. 
An  influx  into  America  took  place,  such  as  had  never  been  ecjualled  since  the 
days  if  the  first  settlers.  Between  1682  and  1685,  there  arriv<  d  ninety  sail, 
conveying  an  average  of  eighty  passengers,  in  all  7,200,  beside  1,000  v.  ho  had 
landed  in  1681.  They  had  been  sent  under  his  kinsman  .Markham,  to  take  pos- 
session of  the  country,  and  prepare  the  way  for  the  larger  colony.  He  found 
no  difficulty  in  completing  the  purchase  of  an  extensive  tract  of  land  from  the  In 
dians  on  terms  satisfactory  to  them,  yet  moderate  for  the  buyer. 

In  October,  1682,  Penn  arrived  with  a  body  of  2,000  emigrants.  After  some 
time  spent  in  surveying  his  new  possessions,  he,  in  the  beginning  of  1683,  ar- 
ranged a  meeting  with  the  native  chiefs,  under  the  canopy  of  a  spaciou.s  elm  tree, 
near  the  present  site  of  Philadelphia.  They  appeared  on  the  day  appointed,  in 
their  rude  attire,  and  with  brandished  weapons,  beneath  the  shadow  of  those 
dense  woods  which  covered  what  is  now  a  fine  and  cultivated  plain.  On  learn- 
ing that  the  English  approached,  they  deposited  their  arms  and  sat  down  in 
groups,  each  tribe  behind  its  own  chii  ftain.  Penn  then  stepping  forward  in  his 
usual  plain  dress  and  unarmed,  held  lorth  in  his  hand  the  parchment  on  which 
•Jie  treaty  was  engrossed.  In  a  simple  speech,  he  announced  to  them  those 
principles  of  equity  and  amity  upon  which  he  desired  that  all  their  future  inter- 
course should  be  conducted.  He  besought  them  to  keep  this  parchment  during 
three  generations.  The  Indians  replied,  in  their  usual  solemn  and  figurative  lan- 
guage, that  they  would  live  in  peace  with  him  and  with  his  children  while  the  sun 
and  moon  should  endure.  A  friendly  display  like  this  is  by  no  means  urmsual  in 
the  first  opening  of  intercourse  between  civilized  and  savage  nations  ;  but  seldom 
indeed  does  it  long  continue  unijiokoa,  or  fail  even  of  being  succeeded  by  an 
embittered  enmity.  Pennsylvania  afforded  at  least  one  happy  exception.  Her 
founder  continued  with  this  savage  people  on  terms  not  only  of  peace,  but  of  in- 
timate union;  he  visited  them  in  their  villages,  he  slept  in  their  wigwams  ;  they 
welcomed  him  almost  as  a  brother.  Forty  years  afterward  they  said  to  the 
governor,  Sir  William  Keith,  as  the  highest  possible  compliment :  "  We  esteem 
and  love  you  as  if  you  were  William  Penn  himself."  What  was  still  more  won- 
derful, the  colonists,  though  they  had  to  struggle  with  many  uncongenial  spirits 
in  their  '>wn  body,  succeeded  in  maintaining  good  terms  with  the  natives  ;  and 
for  nearly  a  century,  the  Indian  tomailiawk  was  never  lifted  against  a  people  who 
would  have  considered  it  unlawful  to  return  the  blow. 

His  next  object  was  to  found  a  capital  for  his  new  seitlement.  He  chose  a 
site  upon  a  neck  of  laiul  between  the  Schuylkill  and  Delav.are,  in  a  situation 
which  appeared  at  once  agreeable  and  healthy,  aMunding  in  water,  and  with 


-^Z^'^t^^i]^^^^^^^^^^^^'^^^^^"^'^'^^^'^**^^^ 


i.^6>;rT'^'.a*1>'^TiT.r.;gU»^— 


-  sXf^J-  --'^^.^r! 


f,    ' 


I.". 


OF  TFIE  AMEIUCAN  REVOLUTION. 


f>y 


|i,  »- 


convenioiil  river  coiniiuinications.  lie  tjave  to  it  the  name  <>(  Philadelphia  (brotii- 
erly  love),  under  which  it  has  become  one  of  the  most  flourishing  cities  in  the 
new  world.  Coiiibiiiiiifr  the  taste  lor  neatness  and  regularity  characteri.-  u'  of 
his  people,  with  a  love  of  rural  nature,  he  planned  a  town  composed  of  pariillei 
streets,  each  a  hundred  feet  broad,  (tiossed  by  others  also  spacious,  and  somi;  iii- 
die'iting  by  their  vi-ry  names,  Viur,  .Vlulberry,  Chestnut,  th.it  the  verdure  of  the 
country  was  still  to  enliven  them.  The  purchasers  of  5,000  acres  were  to  have 
a  house  in  one  of  the  two  principal  sirects,  with  a  ganb  n  and  orchard  ;  those  of 
1,000  in  the  three  next ;  such  as  were  under  1,000  acr.  >  in  the  cross  streets. 
In  1(584,  fifty  villages,  arranged  in  regular  squares,  had  sjirung  up,  on  a  similar 
pi  ui,  though  on  a  smaller  scale. 

In  December,  1682,  Penn  proceeded  to  Maryland, to  adjust  with  Lord  Baltimore 
the  boundaries  of  their  respective  provinces.  His  lordship  received  him,  as  he  liad 
befoie  received  his  agent  Markham,  with  the  utmost  politeness  ;  yet  the  arrange- 
ment was  found  very  difllicult  and  vexatious.  The  specified  limit  of  the  40th  de- 
gree had,  in  the  maps  of  that  age,  been  made  to  run  across  the  Bay  of  Ches- 
apeake, about  the  latitude  of  Pool's  Island.  Thus  the  head  of  that  great  inlet 
was  left  within  the  bounds  assigned  to  Pennsylv;'  and  aflTorded  an  advanta- 
geous outlet  for  her  commerce.  Lord  Baltimnri>  '  inused  a  new  and  more 
scientific  survey  to  be  made,  showing  that  lay  considerably  to 
the  north  of  any  part  of  the  bay,  from  which  e  was  thus  wholly 
excluded.  This  circumstance  bore  heavily  uji  uropist,  whose  col- 
ony was  thus  deprived  of  all  direct  maritime  i  earnestly  urged,  that 
the  space  in  question  was  a  hundred  limes  more  valuable  to  him  than  to  the 
other  party,  of  whose  territory  this  was  only  an  outer  tract,  scarcely  at  all  known 
or  settled ;  that  the  proprietor  of  Maryland  must  probably  have  gained  by  the 
error  in  settling  his  own  boundaries  with  Virginia  ;  and  that  the  understanding 
upon  which  the  grant  had  been  made  ought  to  be  taken  into  consideration. 
Their  interests  came  into  collision  on  another  point.  Penn  had  obtained  a  grant 
from  the  Duke  of  York  of  the  whole  coast  of  the  river  and  bay  of  Delaware, 
southward  from  Newcastle  to  Cape  Henlopen,  which  would  in  some  degree  have 
supplied  his  want  of  a  seacoast.  iiut  the  other  party  claimed  all  the  shores  of 
this  bay  also,  as  included  within  the  40th  degree.  Both  parties,  during  their 
personal  intercourse,  maintained  their  claims  with  extreme  pertinacity,  yi  t  with 
politeness  ;  but  the  corr«  ^pondence  which  afterward  ensued  is  tinctured  with 
considerable  bitterness,  each  accusing  the  other  of  forwarding  his  views  in  an 
unfair  manner.  Historians  are  even  still  much  divided.  Mr.  Chalmers  derides 
the  claim  of  Penn,  whom,  in  truth,  he  always  mentions  in  the  most  depreciating 
terms ;  indeed,  to  have  been  engaged  in  any  dispute  with  a  Baltimore,  was 
enough  in  his  eyes  to  efface  the  brightest  qualities  tha'  could  adorn  a  human 
being.  Mr.  Bancroft,  on  the  contrary,  has  in  this  particular  forsaken  his  first 
love,  and  admits  nothing  to  interfere  with  the  absolute  perfection  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania legislator.  It  became  necessary  to  refer  the  question  to  the  committee  of 
plantation,  who,  in  November,  1685,  came  to  the  decision  that  the  40th  degree, 
in  its  real  direction,  must  be  the  boundary,  thus  excluding  the  quaker  from  the 
Chesapeake.  Hut  while  they  allowed  that  the  Maryland  patent  had  extended 
indeed  to  the  Delaware,  they  considered  that  it  had  been  granted  only  in  respect 
to  such  countries  as  were  not  occupied  by  any  Christian  people,  while  that  re 
gion  had  been  already  colonized  in  considerable  numbers  by  the  Dutch  and 
Swedes.  Hence  it  was  determined  that  the  eastf  a  part  belonged  of  right  tp  the 
crown,  including  Penn's  domain,  which  was  thereby  rendered  valid,  and  gavr* 
him  the  command  of  that  fine  estuary,  thus  in  a  great  measure  compensating  his 
loss  on  another  side. 

In  1684,  Penn  was  induced  by  this  and  other  affairs  to  return  to  England 


•i-T®2S!*K-4k''i'Vi>«tVs»A-i>**rflMS-i!»i,«V5«*Bf  ■  -    ■  -w'-V'^i.-/ 


*0 


THE  PICTORIAI-  HISTOUY 


leaving  the  arlministration  in  the  hands  of  commissioni  rs ;  a  body  who  diJ  no 
by  any  means  work  harnionionsly.  Mooro,  a  leading  proprietary  otllce^r,  wai 
ttctiised  by  the  assembly  of  corruption  and  other  liijjh  misdemeanors  ;  which 
charije  bein>(  strenuously  resisted  by  the  executive,  a  violent  collision  ensued. 
Tlie  proprietor,  while  he  felt  disposed  to  grant  a  liberal  government  to  his  set- 
tlers, was  probably  little  prepared  to  make  over  to  them  the  whole  political  pow- 
er, which  yet  they  seem  to  have  been  determined  to  grasp.  In  1086,  he  sent 
instructions  to  his  ofUcers  to  dissolve  the  constitution,  which  he  had  so  studious- 
ly ciuistructed.  The  assembly,  however,  foreseeing  that  the  change  was  pro- 
posed with  a  view  to  the  abridgment  of  tlieir  privileges,  resolutely  opposed  his 
vie  we.  He  ihei;  determined  to  supersede  the  commission,  and  appoint  a  deputy 
governor,  as  more  likely  to  support  his  authority. 

The  person  selected  was  HIackwcll,  who  is  admitted  to  have  been  no  quaker, 
and  indeed  to  have  had  nothing  akin  to  the  character.  The  apology  mad''  seems 
singular,  namely,  that  no  one  of  that  profession  could  i)e  found  fit  for  the  office, 
and  willing  to  undertake  it.  We  may  rather  suspect  that,  being  a  dexterous  pol- 
itician and  high  advocate  for  power,  he  was  expected  to  beat  down  the  dem- 
ocratic opposition.  His  efforts  for  this  purpose  were  carried  to  an  extreme. 
White,  who,  as  former  speaker,  had  been  active  in  the  persecution  of  Moore, 
h;r  ing  been  re-elected  as  delegate,  was  thrown  into  prison,  and  his  claim  under 
till  habeas  corpus  act  evaded.  The  most  embittered  messages  passed  between 
the  governor  and  assembly.  He  contrived,  however,  to  gain  over  a  part  of  the 
members,  and  thus  to  carry  on  the  government. 

On  these  proceedings  being  represented  to  him,  Penn  was  not  disposed  to 
support  them  ;  and  he  now  threw  almost  everything  into  the  hands  of  the  coun- 
cil, on  whom  he  conferred  the  power  of  choosing  the  executive  officers  and 
deputy  governor  :  they  elected  Thomas  Lloyd,  a  quaker  preacher  of  great  merit. 
But  neither  did  this  arrangement  work  well.  Schisms  arose  among  the  too 
numerous  body;  and  violent  protests  were  made.  The  chief  conflicts,  which 
were  between  the  old  territory  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  new  counties  on  the 
Delaware,  rose  to  such  a  height,  that  the  proprietor  was  obliged  reluctantly  to 
separate  the  two  territories ;  appointing  Markham  governor  of  the  latter,  which 
ultimately  formed  a  small  state,  bearing  the  name  of  that  great  bay.  Peace  did 
not  reign  among  the  quakers  themselves.  George  Keith,  one  of  the  most  em- 
inent among  them  as  a  preacher  and  writer,  disappointed  perhaps  at  not  himself 
obtaining  a  lead  in  the  government,  proclaimed  that  no  one  of  his  sect  could 
lawfully  act  as  an  executive  officer  or  magistrate,  and  if  he  did,  had  no  claim 
to  any  obedience.  These  d(  ines,  enforced  not  in  the  mildest  terms,  brought 
him  under  the  cognizance  of  the  authorities.  His  adherents  allege  that  their 
proceedings  were  violent  and  irregular  ;  that  without  hearing  or  inquiry  he  was 
proclaimed  in  the  market-place  a  seditious  person,  and  an  enemy  to  the  king 
and  queen  ;  and  that  the  ministers,  with  as  little  ceremony,  denounced  him  as 
not  having  the  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes.  The  actual  penalty  was  only  a  mod- 
erate fine,  and  not  even  enforced ;  but  the  finding  himself  proscribed  among  his 
brethren,  both  in  the  colony  and  at  home,  seemu  to  have  exasperated  him  ;  he 
became  an  enemy  to  the  quakers,  abandoned  their  communion,  and  finally  ac- 
cepted an  episcopal  benefice.  He  was  lamented  by  them  as  a  mighty  man  fallen 
from  the  high  places  of  Israel ;  and  the  noise  made  by  these  feuds  seriously  in- 
jured the  colony  in  the  crisis  which  now  arose. 

The  Pennsylvanians,  who  had  owed  everything  to  James  H.,  did  not  share 
the  general  joy  at  his  abdication  in  1688.  The  news  was  unwillingly  believed  ; 
and  the  government,  till  September,  1789,  was  still  administered  in  his  name. 
This  was  carefully  reported  in  New  York ;  while  in  England,  chargep  were 


\  i 


'■''«mm^m''-s->^i^i^^'P':'fti:'i^"n:^\ 


^>. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


4 


// 


{./ 


//ii 


/.. 


1.0 


I.I 


^■2.8     12.5 


US 

U£  1^   |2.2 

us 

Li 


1.8 


L25  IIIIIU   IIIIIL6 


—    6" 


i-'i 


v 


71 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  I45»0 

(716)872-4903 


'4^ 


''4S^^4i^ 


Si 


BHH 


MM 


W 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIViH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microraproductions  historiquas 


J,  THE    PICTORIAL    HISTORY 

rou.e  then,  by  a  lalse  alarm  of  a  J  -^f  n?^  ^"^^  absurdities."     Tney 

tinued.      rhe  war  w  tn  ^^^^a^     and  150  men      It  was  privately  intimated  that 
of  demanding  a  supply  of  ;e4  000  andj^50  m«n-     ^'       ^^P^      J^^^  ^^^^  .^  ^^^ 

the  -«"«y -°f  ,\"f;hi;e  oTers  to  do  s7;  however,  they  offered  the  queen  a 
science  either  fight  or  hire  o^^^^^^  ^^  the  amount ;  but  on  this 

roir^leldlnTpovJr!;^;^^^^^  firm.     An  e,  .al  sum  was  afterward,  in  a 

"'r.!  mo'S-^'CTnt/rhX  age  of  sixty-six,  sent  out  a  solemn  remon- 
1710  Pen     having  re  b         ^^^  ^^^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^  ^        ^^^^^^^^^ 

had  been  to  him  ajourc«  «f  f^^^^^'  "^^^^^^  ,  J.her  he  had  given  any 

"'    'ir"fortS^^    Suttl-lSne^^^^^     the  unhappiness  they  were  bringing 
.         rmselves  as  well  as  the  scandal  they  were  causing  in  the  eyes  of  Europe 
jmseives,  as  wcu  ao  a„nL,  was  not  unsuccessful ;  and  in  the 

by  such  incessant  t^'"  T-„,„re  Seffiv  to  hL  was  elected.     It  is  doubtful, 
next  year  an  assembly  much  ^"'^^/"f  "'^'^^^  V'™  ^d  with  embarrassments  ^nd 

tt u^ies."  and  dTsabfed  lum  from  completing  the  bargain,  so  that  the  property  re- 
mained  in  his  family.      _  extended  to  Gookin,  whom  the  assembly 

lalion.     In  171b,  he  was  ^ucceeueu  ujr  „nvernor  enjoyed  a  much 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  RKVOLU'llON. 


93 


iiiilv  ;ili;icl.eil 
of  his  piiletit ; 
iiifd  authority 
ess  ti)  ohoy, 
(1  on  letters- 
e  chaiigi!  liail 
Ills  majesty's 
ei>n.  it  was 
;h  a  willing- 

the  trials  he 
considerable 

.     Hamilton, 

These  were 

a  character 

yoimg,  lively, 
tterly  opposed 
lositions.  lie 
lilt  in  vain   to 

three  of  tboir 
lities."  Tney 
3W  frame  their 

it  was  not  till 

by  Gookui,  an 
ents  still  con- 
ngracious  task 
T  intimated  that 
uld  not  in  con 
d  the  queen  a 
t ;  but  on  this 
afterward,  in  a 

solemn  remon- 

long  indulf^ed 

,  their  disputes 

;apitulating  the 

had  given  any 

were  bringing 

eyes  of  Europe, 

'ul ;  and  in  the 

It  is  doubtful, 

rrassments  Rnd 

:reaty  wit)  gov- 

accept  fo»  iht,m 

rived  him  of  his 

the  property  re- 

im  the  assembly 
art  of  the  popu 
),  during  the  ill- 
njoyed  a  much 
B  is  accused  of 
le  assembly,  and 
ch,  at  least,  wa* 


Uie  opinion  of  the  proprietaries,  who  considered  him  also  as  neglecting  their  in 
terest,  and  at  the  end  of  nine  years  removed  him.  Ho  then  attempted  to  raise 
d  factious  opposition,  but  was  obliged  to  leave  the  colony.  After  a  peaceable 
administration  of  several  years  by  Major  Gordon,  Thomas,  and  afterward  John 
i'enii,  sonf<  of  the  late  owner,  went  out  in  1732  and  1731.  They  were  received 
with  the  most  cord'al  welcome,  though  the  former  did  not  altogether  preserve 
his  popularity. 

XI H.  While  emigration  proceeded  so  actively  in  various  parts  of  North 
.\nierica,  the  regions  south  of  Virginia,  though  of  vast  extent,  and  presenting 
many  natural  advantages,  had  attracted  little  attention.  The  Spaniards,  as  long 
IS  they  could,  jealously  guarded  this  coast;  and  the  bloody  catastrophe  of  the 
first  French  settlement  was  long  remembered  with  terror.  Kaleigh's  original 
establishment  had  been  formed  within  this  range  ;  and  its  tragical  results,  though 
not  connected  with  the  situation,  threw  a  gloom  over  all  the  recollections  as- 
sociated with  it.  Yet  flattering  rumors  were  still  spread  ;  and  as  the  older  set- 
tlements became  crowded,  detachments  began  to  overflow  into  this  unoccupied 
tract.  The  river  Nansemond,  on  the  immediate  border  of  Virginia,  had  been 
very  early  settled ;  and  colonists  thence  found  their  way  to  the  banks  of  the 
Chowan  and  the  shores  of  Albemarle  Sound.  Much  farther  to  the  south,  a  body 
of  enterprising  New  Englanders  had  purchased  from  the  Indians  a  district 
around  Cape  Fear.  Sir  Robert  Heath,  in  1630,  obtained  a  patent ;  but  having 
been  unable  to  fulfil  the  conditions,  it  was  declared  forfeited. 

The  reign  of  Charles  II.  was  a  period  of  large  grants  ;  for,  having  many 
claims  upon  him  while  he  had  little  to  give,  he  was  ready  to  bestow  colonial 
rights.  On  the  24th  March,  1663,  the  whole  coast,  from  the  36th  degree  of  lat 
itude  to  the  river  San  Matheo,  was  granted  under  the  name  of  Carolina  to  a  body 
of  highly  distinguished  personages,  among  whom  were  Monk,  duke  of  Albe- 
marle, Lord  Clarendon,  Lord  Ashley  Cooper  afterward  Earl  of  Shaftesbury, 
Lord  Berkeley,  and  his  brother  Sir  William,  governor  of  Virginia.  Their  priv- 
ileges were  as  usual  extensive,  and  seem  to  have  been  in  a  great  measure  copied 
from  those  granted  in  the  case  of  Maryland.  The  present  occupants  could  only 
be    considered  as  squatters  ;  yet   as  men  were  much  wanted,  the  utmost  en- 


Fia.  39/— Squatters. 

eouragcment  was  given  to  them  to  remain,  while  o  hers  wer«>  invited.  Political 
and  personal  immunities,  more  ample  than  were  possessed  by  the  neighboring 
colonies,  or  were  satisfactory  to  the  views  of  some  of  the  proprietors,  were  not 
withheld      Berkeley,  who  brought  additional  emigrants  from  Virginia  to  Alba- 


94 


TlIF,   PICTOIUAL  MISTOllY 


ma.le  Sound,  plnccd  tliem  iiiidcr  Drwrnmond,  a  pnulfiit  and  pop.i'.ar  eovemci 
A  party  of  planters  Iroin  Harhailocs,  induced  to  remove  to  this  conijenial  climate 
were  settled  on  Cape  Fear  river,  near  the  New  Kn^landers,  and  ruled  hy  Sii 
John  Yeamans,  one  of  their  own  luimber.  A  few  shipbuilders  were  also  obtained 
from  the  Bermudas. 

In  1()65,  the  proprietors,  still  in  hifjli  favor  with  Cltwrles,  obtained  a  new  pat- 
ent with  much  larger  privileijes.  Their  territory  was  now,  without  regard  to 
Spanish  claims,  extended  to  the  Pacific,  while  they  were  empowered  to  creatn 
titles  and  orders  of  nobility.  This  appears  to  have  been  preparatory  to  the  I'oi- 
ination  of  wliat  was  intended  to  he  a  monument  of  human  wisdom — a  constitution 
for  the  new  colony.  It  was  undertaken  by  Shaftesbury,  the  ablest  statesman  of 
the  ago,  who  employed  upon  it  Locke,  the  illustrious  philosopher  ;  and  its  ob- 
ject was  to  transport  into  the  New  World  the  varied  ranks  and  aristocratic  es- 
tablishments of  Europe.  Two  orders  of  nobility  were  to  be  instituted,  the  higher 
of  landgraves  or  earls,  the  lower  of  caciques  or  barons.  The  territory  was  to 
be  divided  into  counties,  each  containing  480,000  acres,  with  one  landgrave  and 
two  caci(pies,  a  number  never  to  be  increased  nor  diminished.  There  was  also 
to  be  lords  of  manors,  entitled,  like  the  nobles,  to  hold  courts,  and  exercise  ju- 
dicial functions.  'I'hose  possessing  50  acres  were  to  be  freeholders  ;  but  the 
tenants  held  no  political  franchise,  and  could  never  attain  any  higher  rank.  All 
the  estates  were  to  sit  in  one  chamber.  The  proprietary  were  always  to  con- 
tinue eight  in  number,  to  possess  the  whole  judicial  power,  and  have  the  su- 
preme direction  of  all  the  tribunals.  One  was  to  take  cognizance  of  csremonies 
and  pedigrees,  of  fashions  and  sports.  But  it  is  needless  to  enter  into  further 
details  of  a  constitution  which  never  did  nor  could  have  any  practical  existence. 
It  must  remain  a  striking  proof  how  unfit  the  ablest  men  are  to  legislate  foi 
a  society  with  whose  condition  and  circumstances  they  are  not  intimately  ac- 
quainted. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  surprise  of  the  colonists  when  this  elaborate  sys- 
em  was  transmitted  to  them,  with  an  urgent  call  for  its  immediate  adoption. 
Albemarle,  the  chief  settlement,  could  scarcely  number  1,400  working  hands ; 
now  then  was  it  to  furnish  its  landgraves,  its  caciques,  its  barons  ?  The  pro- 
prietors, on  a  representation  of  this  state  of  affairs,  were  obliged  to  own  that 
their  magnificent  system  could  not  yet  be  carried  into  full  execution  ;  but  they 
required  its  introduction  so  far  as  circumstances  allowed,  and  its  completion  to 
be  kept  constantly  in  view.  Meanwhile,  a  series  of  temporary  laws  were  es- 
tablished, until  the  inhabitants  should  be  ripe  for  the  fundamental  constitutions. 
They  had  formed,  however,  a  simple  code  adapted  to  their  circumstances,  which 
they  preferred  to  one  by  which  the  popular  privileges  were  materially  abridged  ; 
and  its  abrogation  for  a  merely  provisional  system  would  have  taken  away  every- 
thing stable  and  permanent  in  their  political  position.  As  Miller,  who  acted 
as  administrator  and  collector  of  the  rev'enue,  had  not  given  them  satisfac- 
tion, they  rose  in  a  body,  imprisoned  him  and  most  of  the  council,  seized  the 
public  funds,  appointed  magistrates  and  judges,  called  a  parliament,  and  in  short 
took  into  their  hands  all  the  functions  of  government.  Culpepper,  the  ringleader, 
came  to  England  to  plead  their  cause,  a  step  which  certainly  does  not  seem  to 
indicate  consciousness  of  guilt ;  but  he  was  arrested  and  brought  to  trial  for  high 
treason.  Shaftesbury,  by  his  eloquence  and  popular  influence,  procured  his 
acquittal,  pleading  that  there  had  been  no  regular  government  in  Albemarle, 
80  that  these  disorders  could  only  be  considered  as  feuds  among  the  severa' 
planters. 

The  proprietors  found  themselves  in  an  embarrassing  situation,  unwilling  lu 
yield  to  the  colonists  and  renounce  their  darling  constitutions,  yet  neither  de- 
■irous  nor  verv  able  to  reduce  them  by  force.    They  rcaolved,  *Uereforo,  t* 


OF  THE  AMERICAN   UEVOMITION. 


96 


govemoi 
il  climate 
ied  l)y  Sit 
>  obtained 

I  new  pat- 
,  regard  to 
I  !()  create 
o  tlui    ll)l- 
Dnstitution 
tesmaii  of 
111  its   oli- 
jcratic  es- 
the  higher 
)ry  was  to 
Igrave  and 
B  was  also 
tercise  ju- 
s  ;  but  the 
rank.     All 
lys  to  con- 
ive  the  su- 
33remonies 
iito  further 
existence, 
igislate  foi 
imately  ac- 

borate  sys- 

;  adoption. 

ling  hands ; 

The  pro- 

0  own  that 
1 ;  but  they 
nipletion  to 
8  were  es- 
(nstitutions. 
ices,  which 
y  abridged ; 
iway  every- 
,  who  acted 
m  satisfac- 
seized  the 

ind  in  short 
ringleader, 
not  seem  to 
rial  for  high 
rocured  his 

1  Albemarle, 
;  the  severa 

unwilling  tu 

neither  de- 

'Uereforo,  t* 


•leiid  out  as  governor  Setl\  Sotlitl,  one  of  their  own  lioily,  who  had  previously 
purchased  Eorl  Cliiroiuloii's  share,  and  wlmse  t.'rritorial  ri^'hts  would,  ihey 
hoped,  command  respect.  According  to  Chalmers,  the  annals  of  delegated  rui- 
.hority  include  no  name  so  infamous  as  that  of  this  new  administrator  ;  a  remark 
which  is  probably  too  strong,  for  he  had  to  deal  with  persons  mU  easily  pleased. 
It  would  appear,'however,  that  his  sole  object  was  to  advance  Ids  (brUme,  at  the 
expense  both  of  the  colonists  and  of  his  fellow-proprietors.  The  former  s  ion 
practised  the  lesson  which  they  had  alreaily  learned.  They  deposed  him,  sciisti 
his  person,  and  were  about  to  send  him  to  England  to  answer  to  the  owners  for 
the  charges  brought  against  him.  Sothel  prelerred  to  ab  Je  the  judgmejit  of  the 
assembly  themselves ;  a  circmnstance  which,  joined  to  the  sentence,  seems  to 
indicate  that  his  conduct  was  not  extremely  atrocious.  After  finding  all  the  ac- 
cusations proven,  they  merely  banished  him  from  the  colony  for  a  single  yeir, 
and  declared  hiiu  incapable  of  ever  again  holding  the  office  of  governor.  The 
proprietors,  though  troubled  at  these  stretches  of  power,  yet  owning  the  com- 
plaints to  be  just,  and  having  been  themselves  wronged,  sanctioned  the  proceed- 
ings, and  nominated  Philip  Ludwell  as  their  representative. 

.Mean'ime  they  were  bestowing  a  more  special  attention  to  the  southern  col- 
ony.    In  1670,  they  sent  out  a  considerable  number  of  settlers  under  William 
Sayle,  who  was  named  governor.     11. >  died  soon  after,  and  his  place  vas  sup- 
plied by  Sir  John  Yeamans,  once  a  Barbadoes  planter,  who  had  acquired  a  ^'ood 
reputation  in  his  command  at  Cape  Fear.     He  was  speedily  accused,  however, 
of  sordid  proceedings,  in  carrying  on  all  the   little  trade  of  the   colony  for  his 
own  advantage.     Aflairs  were  in  many  respects  unsatisfactory.     The  proprie- 
tors, like  other  similar  bodies,  already  discovered  that  the  colony,  instead  of  a 
mine  of  wealth,  was  a  constant  drain  ;  they  had  expended  upon  it  upward  of 
jGI 8,000,  without  any  return,  but,  on  the   contrary,  had  to  encounter  new  de- 
mands.    They  were  therefore  not  unwilling  to  remove  Yeamans  in  order  to 
make  room  for  West,  a  favorite  of  the  settlers.     During  his  residence  of  eight 
years,  he  enjoyed  a  popularity  rare  among  transatlantic  rulers.     The  colony 
flourished  ;  for  beside  emigrants  sent  over  by  the  proprietors,  a  considerable 
tide  flowed  in  from  various  quarters.     The  poor  cavaliers,  considering  it  to  have 
been  founded  upon  their  own  principles,  sought  it  as  a  place  where  they  might 
retrieve  their  fortunes.     A  number  of  Dutch  in  New  York,  dissatisfied  with  theii 
transference  to  British  rule,  thought,  it  scarcely  appears   for  what  reason,  thai 
they  would  be  more  at  ease  in  this  new  settlement ;  and  some  of  their  country- 
men from  Europe  were  induced  to  follow.     The  revocation  of  liie   edict  of 
Nantz,  and  the  persecution  of  the  protestants  by  Louis  XIV.  during  his  bigoted 
dotage,  drove  out  a  large  body  of  most  respectable  emigrants.     A  small   party 
proceeded  from  Ireland,  and  another  from  Scotland  under  Lord  Cardross  ;  bul 
the  latter  was  unfortunate,  being  nearly  all  destroyed  by  the  Indians.     This  in- 
flux was  considered  to  afford  an  inducement  for  the  erection  of  a  city.     One  wa» 
early  founded  on  a  high  groimd,  above  Ashley  River,  named  Charleston ;  but 
hftei-ward  another  spot,  called  Oyster  Point,  at  the  junction  of  that  stream  with 
the  Cooper,  was  considered  so  much  more  eligible,  that  the  site  was  changed. 
The  choice  was  happy ;  and  it  has  since  become  the  chief  emporium  cf  the 
southern  states. 

West  was  succeeded,  in  1682,  by  Moreton,  and  the  latter,  in  1686,  by  Colle- 
toi.,  a  brother  of  one  of  the  proprietors,  and  endowed  with  the  rank  of  landgrave. 
I  hider  these  governors,  the  spirit  of  faction,  which  had  in  some  degree  slumber- 
ed, broke  forth  with  extreme  violence.  An  obstinate  dispute  was  waged  between 
the  three  counties  of  Berkeley,  Craven,  and  Colleton,  respecting  the  number  of 
members  that  should  be  sent  from  each  t&  the  assembly :  that  body  also  proposed 
two  acts  which  «an  not  be  applauded,  with  a  view  to  relieve  the  scarcity  of 


JsHii 


THE  IMCTOmAL  HISTORY 


9ti 

,•  1  .  >  r.,iv.>  tlip  viiliii"  of  the  coil,  ami  of  tlie 

„u,noy.  It  was  the  I'-l--'  '';;--  '\-^.  ^^Z^,  ...  carried,  wh-nc 
other  to  suspoiMl  thf  pay  men  »  ,'''^^  -  '  ' '  '  .^.  ,,,^i,,,  Hf,crwar.l  hcraine  ex- 
,rose  the  ae^n.-tat....  ul  '';;;,-;^^^;  J  ^i;  ^  /..probation.  Tht.  was 
ren.e.  The  otlu.  was  re.)-  -J')  -  l-;i  ^  ^^  ^.„,,,,,  ,L  legaUty  of  the  Inn- 
nut  well  brooked  by  the  a>^.Mnt)l>,  wno  n  .     ,  ^.,,.^r,cr.      Discontents  ran 

dan.ental  eonsti.nt.ons.  ^"4  to  detnan  1  ^''^^  '^,;;;;;'  ,^  .  .I;'  sslv  to  resist  what- 
80  lash,  that  the  people,  in  1087.  elected  »"  • -J''^;  ,'',  ,d  an  act  banishing 
ever  U.e  governor  sho.dd  propose^  and   m  '^^^J^-M-- ^^^,^^     ^,^^  ;, 

hin,  Iron,  the  prov.nee.  At.  id  ^^^^  ^'^  "^  ' ^  „,-  ,y^  that  he  fom.d  no  dif- 
M-  North  Carolina  ;  and  snch  was  the  '"'  r."'*^,^.^  ..^^.j;  and  in  calling  a  par- 
heulty  tn  ..ct.py.ng  tjte  P''- ;>\  ^ -j;^!^  "''^^i:  ;n;;;etors  were'be;o.>d 
hatnenl,  winch   s-anct,oned  all      is   F^^^^^^  'J    ,  [    \,,,,  then,  as  a  leader 

measure  astonished  to  hear  o  such  a  F^^J"' '';;\"  ^^..^rders  Cor  his  immediate 
supported  l)y  the  people.     '1  hey  sem  ^^J^', '^  ,l,Uo„3,  however,  to  ex- 

recall,  appointing  m  as  ,^ace  ^  1  ^  |  ^*  'V^,;^  ,,,ief  complaint  was  found  to 
amine  and  report  as  to  an>  real  gric  antes,      i  ju^.^e   appeared  no   serious 

be  against  •' the  tu.i.htmental  ^°"«'r  "^  '**, '  ^'^Je  U  was'  J  1693,  finally  ah 
prospect  of  carrying  uito  execution   hat  iato^^  away,  and  the  labors 

rogaled.  Caci(,ues,  landgraves,  and  '^'^^^'^/^^^jj^'^t  .^^y  be  observed  that 
of  Shaftesbury  and  Locke  were   given  to  ^^e  "^  '  ^  ■     1'   '" /  i„,t 

James  11..  on  his  usual   despotic  l'^''^'*^;  ^'f  ''^  ^s  ^u?^^  on  condition 

::rr:;Sn;  S  tK;S;i;:"S;^2tL  a«..r  tm  that  monarch  be. 

dissension  wis  aflorded  by  the  ""•"^""^^''fL^'to  the  c^u^'^^  °''  ^"S^""*^' 
Most  of  the  original   settlers,  zealously     "^'^^^^^^^^^^ 

viewed  with  aversion  both  their  religious  ^"'^  ^  «"^^//J^';^  they  were  justly 
to  admit  them  to  the  rights  «  citizensh,,  ^  "^^ ^^^li  outgone  of\hei 
indignant ;  and  disputes  rose  so  J^f  •  ^^\."\' P  ^P,  ,„  investigate  and  redress 
own  body,  John  Archda  e  a  juake  with  iuU  Power^^^^  ,„d^hough  he  could 
grievances.  He  conducted  »';"'«f  ^'''J  f  ^""^j  privileges,  succeeded  in  greatly 
not  procure  for  the  new  comers  all  the  desirea    r.  .    g  successor  Jo 

allaying  their  discontent.  After  remaining  a  >«;^  '  ^%'"'^J^^^J  j^  ^  few  years 
sepfi  Bike,  who   -^^^^i^,::r.S^^^^^^o^ '^^eu^^ 

sought  to  distinguish  himself  by  the  capture  of  the  ^  ^f  ^g^i„,„„,i  OaSiel, 

t,„e'  He  '-"-I'v "''''"inTn  "na;cCby  -/  Tl-  latter  arrived  first, 
with  a  party  of  militia  and  ^"'1'''"^' "^"^  ^J'.^Venemv  to  retreat  into  the  castle  ; 
and  took  possession  of  the  town,  "^lg'"g^^'^^''!"^^[o  render  it  necessary  to  send 
but  the  governor  -ustdered  that  post  so  strong  a    to  re^^^^        ^^  two'spanish 

to  Jamaica  for  more  '^'^.^^^'l^y:^  .^\Z,dT  be  groundless,  and  precipitately 
sh.,.s,  he  was  seized  with  a  panic  -iHeg^^  ^«  ,j,f  ^^  ^^^  ^as  not  only  very 
raising  the  siege,  returned  by  land  to  ^--^r-Jima.  i  .^^  ^^^^^ 

mortiiying,  but  entailed  on  the  colony  a  heavy  debt,  w^^^  ^^^^.^  ^^^^^^^ 

In  1700,  the  Spaniards  endeavored  ^«  J'^^'^l'^^j^^l^'i^it^,  J  Feboure.  with 
allies,  equipped  a  considerable   -'^''•^']'''\.^^^^^^^^ 

ave  ships-o.-war.  f-f '^^J^ -—  ; /^^^^^^^^  prepared  for 

iel  Johnson,  who  had,  with  great  «P'"!'    """=    j„   ,,,^e  main  land  force  had 
defence,  sent  an  indignant  dehance.      I  he    nvader  ^^-^y^  ^^^  j,,,. 

not  yet  arrived,  imprudently  sent  -^  '"^ /^;;'        ^^teh  courage,  that  Cae- 
£^S2t:S;ttlr.tel^s:^i::^^"stlhe  enemy,  who  siruck  with 


iiiul  of  the 

J,  wllfUl-f 

ipcaiiu'  fX- 

'I'liis  wiis 
of  ilio  fun- 
onteiits  mil 
esist  wliat- 
t  banishing 
le  rt'jt'Cled 
unil  no  dif- 
Uing  a  par- 
ore  beyond 
as  a  leader 

inunediate 
ever,  to  ex- 
ras  found  to 

no  serious 
,  linally  ab 

tlio  labors 
)served  that 
anto  against 
an  condition 
monarch  bO' 

w  source  of 
int  refugees, 
of   England, 

and  refused 
T  were  justly 

one  of  their 

and  redress 
ugh  he  could 
ed  in  greatly 
juecessor  Jo 

a  few  years 
ts  of  citizens. 

years  after, 
of  St.  Augus- 
jlonel  Daniel, 

arrived  first, 

0  the  castle  ; 
issary  to  send 

two  Spanish 
precipitately 
not  only  very 

1  ill  bear, 
their  French 
Feboure,  with 
ir,  Sir  Nathan- 
,  prepared  for 
and  force  had 
'hich  was  im- 
age, that  Cap- 
f>  struck  with 


M 


THE    I'lCI'OKlAL    HISTORY 


aliinn  immediatelv  retired.  Soon  after,  an  ad.litional  armaim  nt  appearcL,  ai.d 
f 3;-Ttroo.,s  were  lat.d..,!  ;  1m..  tl.e  Kn,M.sh,  Ih.sl.e.l  with  v.eiury  afackeU 
ihe.n'with  sueU  re.oh.t.on.  il.at  boti,  tl.ey  at.,l  their  sh.ps  were  captured. 

After  »o,ne  years  «f  r.iKJse,  the  colony  was  involved  u.  all  he  l'orr*rs  of  Ir.  .tan 
war  liie  ori.^n  of  winch  is  ditlieult  to  trace,  th.n.nh  the  settlers  throw  the  whol« 
bla.n'e  t.po,.  the  natives,  It  is  manifest  that  they  wajred  it  with  deep  treachery 
and  ferocity,  and  vet  there  seen.s  r..on,  to  snspect  that  they  had  heavy  wrot.gs 
to  avcnL'e  The  first  burst  was  Iron,  the  Tus.aroras.  on  the  Irontier  ol  North 
(;ar.dina,  whose  attack  a-r-inst  the  settlen.enls  on  the  Uoanoke  was  made  with 
the  nsual  s.-creov  an.l  rapidity,  and  above  a  hnndred  perished  he  ore  measure. 

de  nee  could" be  adopted,"  This  was  all  that  con  1  be  -Lme  till  aid  was  pro- 
cured from  South  Carolina,  whence  Captain  Harnwell  with  t.OO  mditta  and  JbO 
Indians  nenetrat.'d  the  interveniu!,'  wilderness,  deleated  the  enemy,  and  pms.unf. 
them  to'lh.'ir  main  fortress,  obliued  them  to  surrender.  They  soon  alter  imc^ra- 
ted  northward,  and  formed  a  union  with  the  Five  Nations. 

\  more  formidable  strusigle   awaited   South  Carolina.      The   Indian*  on  iti. 


Fig.  41.— Male  ami  Kcmale  Jiidian. 
border  had  long  been  united  with  the  c.donists  in  alliance  and  common  hostility 
to  the  Spaniards.  When  the  treaty  of  Utrecht  had  terminated  the  European  wai 
with  the  latter  people,  the  natives  soon  announced  that  they  had  dined  with  the 
governor  of  Florida,  and  washed  his  face— a  sure  pledge  of  alliance  !  he 
colonists,  who  did  not  suspect  that  the  enmity  was  to  be  transferred  lo  tr.em, 
allecre  that  it  was  fomented  by  their  old  enemies  ;  but  the  charge  seems  scarcely 
Bupported  by  any  overt  act.  Certain  it  is,  that  the  Yemassees,  Creeks,  Chero 
kees,  and  all  the  tribes  trom  Cape  Fear  to  the  shores  of  the  gulf,  ainounting  to 
6  000  men,  became  united  in  one  grand  confederacy  to  exterminate  the  bngUsn 
name  Theii  preparations  were  enveloped  as  usual  in  profound  secrecy ;  and, 
even  on  the  previous  evening,  when  some  suspicious  circumstances  were  no"ced, 
thev  tjave  the  most  friendly  explanation.  In  the  morning  the  work  ol  blood 
coiiimenced  in  the  vicinity  of  Port  Royal,  where  about  ninety  of  the  planters 
perished  ;  but  the  people  of  the  place,  happily  finding  a  vesse.   in  the  harbor 


OF  TIIR  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 


jy 


areil,  ai.il 
atiackeil 

a. 

of  Ii..'.ian 
th(^  wIioIh 
treachery 
:  wrongs 
of  North 
naile  witli 
iiu-aHurcn 
was  prti- 
aiiil  360 
|iiirsiiin^ 
iniirra- 


ii' 


ini»  on  itn 


on  hostility 
iropean  wai 
ed  with  the 
ince  Tht 
d  10  them, 
ins  scarcely 
3ks,  Chero 
nounting  to 
he  English 
irecy ;  and, 
ere  noticed, 
rk  of  blood 
[\e  planters 
the  harbor 


cn)wdftd  on  board,  and  were  conveyed  to  Charleii^on.  Thr  .ii<liaii»  joilecicil 
troin  all  sides,  atul  advanced  upon  that  capital  ;  two  iletachniH,i,.'i  which  attempted 
to  »...p  their  pri)i;re,ss,  were  surprised  or  ensnareil,  an<l  siiilHrnd  severely  ('r;i- 
ven,  thft  Kovernor,  howiHcr,  havinij  nnistered  1,200  men  lit  lo  bear  arms,  sue- 
ceeiled  in  stopping  their  progress  ;  upon  which,  having  :ollected  all  his  strength, 
and  receiving  a  reint'orcetneni  from  North  Carolina,  h  •  marched  to  the  attack  of 
their  grand  camp.  The  struggle  was  long  and  fiercn  —the  Indians  having  sta- 
tioned themselves  in  a  broken  and  entangled  spot,  fitud  for  their  wild  inanceuvres 
At  length  they  were  completely  defeated,  and  •c"'  -ifter  driven  beyond  the  limits 
of  the  colony. 

The  termination  of  this  contest  was  immediitujiy  followed  by  violent  internal 
disturbances.  The  settlers  had  many  ground.i  of  complaint  against  the  proprie- 
tors, who  had  not  alTorded  any  pecuniary  aid  during  the  late  sanguinary  contest 
.\t  its  close  the  assembly  passed  acts  bes'owing  the  lands  whence  the  Inilians 
had  been  expelled  upon  such  persons  w  might  choose  to  occupy  them  ;  on  the 
faith  of  which  a  party  of  500  emigrated  trom  Ireland.  Hut  the  proprietary  an- 
nulling tbi«  grant,  caused  them  to  be  iiocted,  and  the  tract  divided  into  baronies 
for  their  own  benefit.  They  disallnw>)d  other  laws,  which  the  colonists  were 
eytreine"v  desirous  to  obtain,  and  sunt  orders  to  the  governor  lo  sanction  none 
which  had  not  been  previously  S'ibmitled  to  themselves.  They  reposed  their 
entire  '.onfidence  in  Trott,  the  etuuf-jufltice,  who  was  even  accused  of  malversa- 
:ion  in  nis  office  ;  but  the  comitlaints  against  him  from  the  people,  and  even  the 
govenetr,  were  disdainfully  njecied  This  discontent,  long  fomenting,  broke 
out  openly  on  a  report  of  ir.^tsion  from  the  Havana.  In  this  emergency  the  as- 
sembly refused  to  vote  arv  -tupplies  ,  a  bond  of  union  was  drawn  up,  and  signed 
Oy  almost  all  the  inhabit .tnut  They  transmitted  a  proposal  to  Johnson  that  he 
should  contiue  to  hold  'ii»  ofRce  m  the  name  of  the  king ;  but  as  he  declined 
the  offer,  Colonel  ]Vfo«)ru  was  elected.  The  other  made  some  attempts  to  compel 
submission,  but  found  ms  force  inadequate.  The  issue  of  the  whole  transaction, 
however,  dependwl  iw  the  view  which  might  be  taken  by  the  crown,  always 
disposed  to  favor  *ay  arrangement  that  might  extend  its  prerogative.  The  king, 
oeing  absent  ir  Hiunover.  had  left  the  government  in  the  hands  of  a  regency, 
ivho,  on  examining  the  case,  decided  that  the  proprietors  had  forfeited  their 
'-barter,  and  irdnred  proceedings  to  be  instituted  for  its  dissolution.  Acting 
certainly  wmIi  great  promptitude,  as  if  this  were  already  effected,  they  named 
Sir  Franei.H  Nicholson  governor,  under  a  commission  from  his  majesty.  That 
person  iMtinguished  in  other  stations  for  his  active  talents,  had  been  accused 
of  arb"  rary  maxims  ,  but  in  Carolina  he  seems  to  have  laid  these  aside,  and 
rend'Tud  himself  extremely  acceptable.  He  made  great  exertions  to  provide  for 
re(i»;-jMs  instruction,  and  the  diffusion  of  education.  Through  an  alliance  with 
t>i  Creeks  and  Cherokees,  he  secured  the  frontier,  which  had  been  considerably 
.'inXHssttd  by  Indian  incursions. 

We  may  here  pause  to  mention,  that  a.  »he  end  of  the  seventeenth  and  the 
ooginning  of  the  eighteenth  century,  the  American  coast,  and  particularly  Caro- 
una,  was  dreadfully  infested  by  piracy.  The  long  war  between  France  and 
Spain,  aided  by  the  vicinity  of  the  West  Indies,  afforded  large  scope  for  priva- 
teers After  the  peace,  they  were  unwilling  to  relinquish  so  lucrative  an  occu- 
patiiin  i  and,  exercising  it  equally  on  friends  and  foes,  spread  desolation  overall 
those  shores.  The  governors,  it  is  said,  instead  of  striving  to  suppress  the  dis- 
order, often  secretly  favored  it,  and  shared  in  the  profits.  James  II.,  in  1687, 
equipped  a  small  fleet  under  Sir  Robert  Holmes,  who  considerably  checked  the 
evil  •  but  it  again  broke  out  with  augmented  violence,  especially  after  the  treaty 
of  Utrecht.  John  Theach,  called  Blackbeard,  equally  frightful  in  his  aspect  ami 
character,  became  a  sort  of  pirate-king — the  idol  of  his  followers,  and  the  terroi 


X'^rs^*  :tittt^ 


rou 


TIIR    FMCTOIUAL    HISTORY 


of  all  ppai'onhli'  inorfhants.  In  1718,  CcdrcR  I.  ilrspati-lied  a  sqtiailron  uiuIm 
WooiU's  kocrors,  who  took  the  isiaiid  of  N.'W  I'rovideiice  in  the  Haliainas.  long 
a  kind  ol  ouMawfil  capital.  Tlif  pirates  atK'mpled  to  lorni  anotluT  stronghold 
at  the  inonih  of  Cape  Fear  river,  hut  were  driven  Iroin  it  by  tht'  governor  ot 
Carolina.  Rollers  was  empowered,  in  case  oC  submission,  to  offer  pardon  lo 
those  wlio  should  surrender,  of  which  most  availed  themselves  ;  though  some 
afterward  resumed  their  vocation,  and  among  them  Theach  himself,  who  was 
soon,  however,  defeated  and  killed.  In  the  course  of  the  five  subsequent  years, 
twenty-six  suflered  death  for  this  ofl'ence. 

In  1721),  the  transactions  of  the  proprietors  were  finally  closed  by  a  deed  sur- 
rendering all  their  rights  into  the  hands  of  the  crown.  'I'hey  received  in  return 
jCI7  500,  with  je5,000  for  arrears  of  rent  amounting  to  £9,000  ;  but  Lord  Car- 
teret, while  resigning  all  political  power,  preferred  to  retain  his  claim  to  property 
in  the  soil,  of  which  an  ample  portion  was  assigned  to  him.  The  colonists  were 
gratified  by  the  entire  remission  of  their  quit-rents.  In  1694,  the  captain  of  a 
vessel  from  Madagascar,  having  touched  at  Carolina,  had  presented  the  governor 
with  a  bag  of  rice,  which,  l)eing  distributed  among  several  farmers,  throve  so 
remarkably,  that  it  had  already  become  a  staple  of  the  settlement ;  and  the  priv- 
ilege was  now  granted  of  exporting  this  article  direct  to  any  part  of  Europe 
southward  of  Cape  Finisterre.  North  and  South  Carolina,  too,  which  in  poin. 
of  fact  had  always  been  distinct,  and  their  occupied  parts  even  distant  from  each 
other,  were  now  finally  declared  to  be  two  colonies,  each  to  have  its  separate 
governor* 

From  this  era  their  affairs  held  a  pretty  uniform  course,  diversified  only  as  the 
character  of  the  successive  governors  was  popular  or  otherwise.  They  continued 
to  draw  numerous  bodies  of  emigrants  ;  and  their  career,  both  of  agriculture  and 
commerce,  was  extremely  prosperous.  This,  it  is  painful  to  ad.l,  was  in  a  great 
measure  effected  by  large  importations  of  negro  slaves,  which  enal'ed  the  wealthy 
to  cultivate  plantations  on  an  extensive  scale,  and  without  personal  labor.  It 
appears  also  that  reproach  was  incurred  by  the  harshness  with  which  these  cap- 
tives were  treated  ;  and  serious  alarms  of  insurrection  were  entertained.  To 
guard  against  this  danger,  they  petitioned,  in  1742,  to  be  allowed  to  raise  and 
maintain  three  independent  companies  ;  a  boon  which,  though  refused  at  first, 
was  finally  granted.  These  colonies  derived  a  considerable  accession  from  the 
rebellion  of  1745,  at  the  close  of  v.nich  many  adherents  of  the  vanquished  cause 
were  allowed  to  seek  shelter  in  the  western  plantations,  and  induced  by  various 
circumstances  to  prefer  the  Carolinas.  The  discovery  of  indigo,  as  a  native 
production,  afforded,  in  addition  to  rice,  another  article  for  which  a  sure  demand 
would  be  found  in  Europe.  About  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  too, 
when  the  other  colonies  began  to  have  at  least  their  best  lands  appropriated, 
this,  which  was  still  comparatively  unoccupied,  drew  settlers  from  them,  es- 
pecially from  Pennsylvania.  Although  estates  along  the  coast  were  become 
scarce,  valuable  tracu  remained  in  the  interior,  to  which  these  American  emi- 
grants were  pleased  to  resort. 

After  all  that  had  been  done  before  1732  for  the  peopling  of  Carolina,  there 
remained  a  large  district  between  the  Savannah  and  the  Alatamaha,  claimed  by 
Britain,  yet  completely  uninhabited.  This  disadvantage  was  more  felt  from  its 
being  bordered,  not  only  by  powerful  Indian  tribes,  but  by  the  Spaniards  m 
Florida  and  the  French  in  Louisiana  ;  both  having  claims  which,  if  circumstan- 
ces favored,  they  could  plausibly  advance.  The  planters  were  particularly 
anxious  to  have  a  settlement  formed,  that  might  stand  like  a  wall  between  thorn 
%nd  these  troublesome  neighbors,  but  were  much  at  a  loss  for  persons  who  would 
/oluntarily  station  themselves  in  a  situation  so  unplea»ant.     Circumstance*  aros» 


DK  THE  AMERICAN   UEVOT-l'TION. 


lot 


Iron   undfii 
;iin;tM,  lung 

stroiiKliol'' 
Dvernor  o\ 
pardon  to 
u)rli  some 
,  who  was 
lent  years, 

i  deed  8ur- 
d  in  return 
Lord  Car- 
lo property 
mists  were 
aptain  of  a 
le  governor 
,  throve  so 
id  the  priv- 
of  Europe 
ch  in  poini 
t  from  each 
ts  separate 

only  as  the 
V  continued 
culture  and 
s  in  a  great 
the  wealthy 
1  labor.  It 
1  these  cap- 
ained.  To 
)  raise  and 
led  at  first, 
on  from  the 
ished  cause 
[  by  various 
is  a  native 
lure  demand 
sentury,  too, 
ppropriated, 
n  them,  es- 
ere  become 
erican  emi- 

rolina,  there 
,  claimed  by 
felt  from  its 
Spaniards  in 
circuinstan- 
particularly 
jtween  thorn 
8  who  would 
itanceA  aros* 


in  England  which  a(r..rd.'d  a  prosprrt  ..f  supplying  this  want.     A  body  of  dii 

tinguished  individuals,  undor  th.-  in.pnis.-  ol  liuinanity, 

"  Reilroisivp  searched 
Into  the  horrors  of  the  gliioiny  jail." 

General   Ogleih..rpe,  a  soiili.r,  hrav.  liMiioral)!.',  and  humane,  moved  an  in 
quirr,  in  1728,  inl .  the  treatm.nt  and  c.imlition  of  persons  confined  m  the  prt» 


Fio.  42.— Portrait  of  General  Oglethorpe. 
ons  of  England,  and  in  the  following  year  presented  a  report  upon  this  subject 
It  was  found  that,  under  the  extremely  bad  management  then  prevaien;,  many 
persons  imprisoned  for  debt  or  minor  oflTences  were  treated  most  tyrannically, 
deprived  of  common  comforts,  and  their  morals  farther  injured  by  the  associates 
with  whom  they  were  compelled  to  mingle.     Many  of  them,  even  it  liberated, 
could  not  have  returned  to  the  world  with  any  prospect  of  comfort  or  advantage  ; 
and  hence  it  occurred  that  to  them  a  residence  in  the  new  continent  might  torm 
an  extremely  desirable  change.     They  could  not  be  fastidious  as  to  the  situation, 
and  might  there  be  formed  into  military  colonies,  as  a  barrier  to  the  other  states. 
The.  conversion  and  improvement  of  the  Indians  entered  into  this  generous  plan. 
It  was  enlnisted  to  a  body  of  eminent  persons,  who  undertook  to  act  as  trustees, 
not  enterin</,  like  former  associations,  into  a  mercantile  speculation  for  proht,  but 
from  philanthropic  motives  devoting  their  time  and  contributions  to  the  object. 
They  were  to  administer  the  colony  during  twenty-one  years,  after  which  it  was 
to  revert  to  the  crown.     It  was  named  Georgia,  from  the  reigning  monarch; 
and  Oglethorpe,  with  whom  the  whole  scheme  had  originated,  undertook  to  act 
gratuitously  as  governor.     A  general  enthusiasm  prevailed  throughout  the  na- 
tion ;  large  sums  were  subscribed  by  benevolent  individuals  ;  and  parliament,  in 
the  course  of  two  years,  voted  £36,000  for  the  purpose. 

In  the  end  of  1732,  Oglethorpe,  with  a  party  of  a  hundred  and  sixteen,  sailed 
for  the  new  settlement.  Having  touched  on  their  way  at  South  Caro  ina,  his 
followers  were  most  hospitably  received;  and  on  their  arrival,  ne  made  it  his 
tirst  object  to  conciliate  the  neighboring  Indians,  belonging  to  the  powerlul  race 
of  the  Creeks.  His  efforts,  guided  by  sincerity  and  discretion,  were  crowned 
with  success.     He  prevailed  upon  Fomochi^hi,  the  head  of  this  savage  confed 


. .  -i  fc.t  ■:.t*;cVtrjtiK"' 


"^'*fep^.^a^""«3-^f#i^  v^i>^ 


102 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


eracy  to  meet  him  at  Savannah,  acconipaiiiciil  by  fifty  other  petty  chiefs,  called 
kings.  This  aged  person,  expressing  his  ideas  as  usual  by  outward  syinliols, 
presented  to  the  governor  the  skin  of  a  l)ulTalo,  on  the  inside  of  which  the  head 
and  feathers  of  an  eagle  were  painted.  This  indica.?d  the  swiftness  and  power 
:)f  the  English,  and  also,  by  its  softness  and  warmth,  the  love  and  protection 
which  the  Indians  expected  from  them.  This  chief  was  even  induced  to  visi* 
Britain,  where  he  met  witii  many  attentions,  and  had  an  audience  of  George  Tl., 
whom  he  presented  with  a  buncli  of  eagles'  feathers,  saying,  "  These  are  a  sign 
of  peace  in  our  land,  and  have  been  carried  from  town  to  town  there.  We  have 
brought  them  over  to  leave  them  with  you,  O  great  king,  as  a  token  of  everlast- 
ing peace.  O  great  king,  whatever  words  you  shall  say  unto  me,  I  will  faith- 
fully tell  them  to  all  the  kings  of  the  Creek  nations."  In  1734,  the  town  of 
Augusta  was  founded  on  the  Upper  S^vaimah,  with  a  view  to  local  trade 
During  the  same  year,  two  successive  parties  went  out,  amounting  to  500  or 
600,  of  whom  100  defrayed  their  own  expenses.  About  150  Highlanders  were 
induced  to  join  the  colony,  being  well  fitted  for  its  military  objects.  A  party  of 
Moravians  also  arrived,  whose  industrious  habits  were  likely  to  be  of  great  ad- 
vantage ;  and  by  a  report  of  the  trustees  in  1740,  it  appeared  that  2,500  emigrants 
had  been  sent  out,  at  an  expense  of  dE80,000.  .lolm  and  Charles  VVesley,  then 
only  known  as  zealous  clergymen,  were  prevailed  upon  to  accept  livings  in  the 
colony. 

Notwithstanding  these  promising  appearances,  and  this  most  zealous  support, 
Georgia  did  not  prosper.  The  proprietors  began  with  a  series  of  regulations, 
well  meant  indeed,  biit  carried  to  an  extreme,  and  with  little  attention  to  existing 
circumstances.  A  complete  prohibition  was  imposed  on  the  introduction  of  rum, 
and  even  on  all  commercial  intercourse  with  the  West  Indies.  The  importa- 
tion of  negroes  was  forbidden  ;  a  laudable  measure,  but  indignantly  endured  by 
the  colonists,  who  saw  nmch  wealth  accruing  to  Carolina  from  their  employment. 
The  lands  were  most  injudiciously  granted  in  small  lots  of  twenty-five  acres,  on 
condition  of  military  service,  and  with  that  view  descending  only  to  heirs  male. 
The  settlers  soon  began  to  display  those  faults  which,  from  their  previous  con- 
dition, might  have  been  anticipated.  Complaints  were  made  against  the  Wes- 
leys  for  their  extreme  rigidness,  their  peculiar  forms  of  worship,  and  for  giving 
their  confidence  to  un.*'orthy  persons,  who  made  false  pretences  of  piety.  Feuds 
rose  so  high  that  both  left  the  colony.  Whitefield,  founder  of  the  rival  sect  of 
Methodists,  went  out  in  1740,  with  a  particular  view  to  establish  an  orphan 
asylum,  which  did  not  succeed  ;  but  hi.:  zealous  and  eloquent,  though  somewhat 
rude  address,  produced  a  strong  impression,  and  were  supposed  to  effect  consid- 
erable good. 

Affairs  were  rendered  still  further  critical  by  the  Spanish  war,  which,  after 
long  irritation  and  petty  aggression,  broke  out  in  1738.  Oglethorpe  detenained 
to  attack  St.  Augustine,  the  capital  of  Florida.  Great  preparations  were  made 
for  this  enterprise  ;  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas  furnished  a  regiment,  as  well  as 
jE  120,000  currency;  and  an  Indian  force  undertook  to  assist.  The  governor, 
who  wa<i  thus  enabled  to  make  an  invasion  with  2,000  men,  reduced  two  succes- 
ive  forts ;  but  the  castle  of  St.  Augustine  itself  was  fimnd  too  strongly  fortified 
to  allow  a  '•easonable  b  ~pe  of  reducing  it  unless  by  blockade.  This  he  expected 
to  accomplish  by  the  aid'  of  a  strong  flotilla,  which  came  to  co-operaie  with  him. 
It  proved,  however,  a  very  discouraging  scr-ice  for  his  undisciplined  warriors  ; 
and  the  Indians,  disgusted  by  an  expre^^ssion  which  escaped  him,  of  horror  at 
their  cruelty,  went  off.  The  Highlanders,  his  best  troops,  were  surprised,  and  a 
number  cut  to  pieces  ;  while  the  militia  lost  courage,  broke  the  restraints  of 
lisciplino,  and  deserted  in  great  numbers.  It  proved  impossible  to  prevent  the 
tneniy  from  procuring  a  reinforcement  and  large  supply  of  provisions.     In  skor* 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


103 


eff),  Ciilled 
symbols, 
the  liead 
and  power 
protection 
;d  to  visik 
eorge  II., 
are  a  siyii 
We  have 
everlast- 
will  faith- 
town  of 
cal   trade 
to  500  or 
iders  were 
A  party  of 
f  great  ad- 
einigrants 
sley,  then 
ings  in  the 

us  support, 

egulations, 

to  existing 

ion  of  rum, 

e  importa- 

9ndured  by 

nployment. 

e  acres,  on 

leirs  male. 

evious  con- 

t  the  Wes- 

1  for  giving 

ly.     Feuds 

ival  sect  of 

an  orphan 

I  somewhat 

"ect  consid- 

I'hich,  after 
determined 
were  made 

as  well  as 
e  governor, 
wo  succes- 
fly  fortified 
le  expected 
!  with  him. 

warriors ; 

horror  at 

ised,  and  a 

istraints  of 

)revent  the 

In  skor*    . 


(natters  «er«  so  adverse  a  state,  that  he  had  no  alternative  but  to  raise  th« 
siege,  and  return  vith  his  armament  seriously  shattered,  and  his  reputation  im- 
paired. 

The  Spaniards,  in  two  years  after,  in  1742,  attempted  to  retaliate,  and  Mon- 
teano,  governor  of  St.  Augustine,  with  thirty-two  vessels  and  3,000  men,  ad- 
iranced  to  attack  Frederica.  Oglethorpe's  force  was  very  inadequate,  and  the 
aid  from  the  north  both  scanty  and  very  slow  in  arriving  ;  yet  he  acted  so  as 
completely  to  redeem  his  military  character.  By  skilfully  using  all  the  advan- 
tages of  his  situation,  he  kept  the  enemy  at  bay  ;  then  by  various  stratagems 
conveyed  such  an  exaggerated  idea  both  of  his  actual  force  and  expected  reinforce- 
ments, that  they  ultimately  ahardoned  the  enterprise,  without  having  made  one 
serious  attack. 

Georgia  was  thus  delivered   from  foreign  dangers ;  but  she  continued  to  siil 
fer  xmder  her  internal  evils.     The  colonists  complained  that  absurd  regulationj" 
debarred  them  from  rendering  their  productions  available,  and  kept  them  in  pov 
erty.     Numbers  re  loved  to  South  Carolina,  where  they   were   free  from   re 
straint ;  and  the   Moravians,  being   called  upon  to  lake  up  arms    contrary   "• 
their  principles,  departed  for  Pennsylvania.     Gre^t  efforts  were  made,  as  fornn!» 
ly,  in  Virginia,  to  produce  silk,  but  for  the  same   reasons  without  any  su<'<  e^s. 
In  1752,  the  twenty-one  years  had  expired  ;  and  the  trustees  finding  tha     Ueir 
well-meant  endeavors  had  proiluced  only  misery  and   discontent,  relin-iuished 
the  charge.     Georgia  became  a  royal  colony,  and  the  people  were  lef'    it  full 
liberty  to  use  all  the  means,  good  and  bad,  of  advancing  thf?mselve8  ,   lands  were 
held  on  any  tenure  that  best  pleased  them  ;  and  a  free   intercourse  <*"ts  opened 
with  the  West  Indies.     Thenceforth  it  was  on  a  footing  with  Sniitt.  Carolina, 
and  advanced  with  equally  rapid  steps. 

XIV.  The  colonies,  of  which  we  have  thus  delineated  theorii^iii  .ind  progress, 
down  to  the  close  of  the  war  in  1763  were  altogether  unconnmitud.  Each  had 
been  founded  on  a  separate  basis,  by  distinct  and  even  hostile  uUdses.  Between 
neighboring  communities,  where  no  sentiment  of  unity  reigns  yealousies  almost 
inevitably  arise  ;  and  these  were  aggravated  by  boundary  lisputes  and  other 
contending  claims.  Some  governors,  particularly  Nichotnou,  recommended  the 
union  of  several  of  them  under  oni  head  ;  but  these  wnrt  men  of  arbitrary  tem- 
per, who  urged  this  measure  on  the  home  adminiatratior  is  a  mode  of  extending 
the  power  of  the  crown,  and  keeping  down  the  increa.4iiig  spirit  of  independence. 
Such  communications,  when  they  transpired,  heighi.Hi  «d  not  a  little  the  antipathy 
already  felt  to  the  proposed  measure. 

There  was,  however,  one  object  by  which  all  ifi«o  colonies  were  roused  to  a 
most  zealous  co-operation.  It  might  have  iHWiiitvl  a  hardship  that  the  successive 
wars  between  Britain  and  France  should  b*  iransferred  to  their  rising  settle- 
ments beyond  the  Atlantic ;  but  the  uihiiMUijiu-  by  no  means  felt  it  as  such,  and 
required  only  permission,  in  order  to  fush 'Villi  fury  against  each  other.  The 
old  national  antipathj"  was  remarkably  siiuin,  in  this  ruder  society  ;  the  difference 
of  creed  made  the  contests  be  viewed  somewhat  as  religious  wars  ;  and  the  con- 
trast between  an  absolute  and  a  free  government  appeared  peculiarly  striking  on 
the  English  side,  where  maxims  almost  republican  prevailed.  At  first  the  colo- 
nies followed  in  the  footsteps  of  the  mother  country  ;  but  as  their  magnitude  and 
importance  increased,  the  flame  arose  among  themselves,  and  was  thence  com- 
nninicated  to  Europe. 

Kven  so  early  as  1629,  Sir  David  Kirk,  having  equi[)ped  a  fleet,  surprised 
and  took  Quebec  ;  but  that  infant  settlement,  to  which  little  value  was  then  at- 
tached, was  restored  at  the  peace  of  1632.  A  severe  collision,  however,  nrote 
in  consequence  of  the  support  afforded  by  the  English  from  New  York  to  the 
Five  Nations,  in  the  long  and  terrible  war  waged  by  them  against  the  French 


104 


THE   IMC'l'OKIAL  IHSTOKY 


in  Canadii.  It  was  nioslly  currii'il  on  l)y  skirniishos,  in  a  co"en  •  r>ner,  and 
without  nvi^nlar  sanction  from  citlu-r  powt.-r.     Hut  after  tlie  rev-.''  of  J688, 

open  hostilities  ensued  between  the  two  nations,  and  Britain  agait  .iv'termined 
to  strike  a  blow  against  the  cneniy's  power  Iieyond  the  Atlantic.  Acadia  was 
suhdued  with  little  resistance,  and  Sir  William  Phipps,  with  thirty-four  vessels 
and  a  large  body  of  troops,  reached  Quebec.  He  did  not,  however,  display  the 
requisite  promptitude  ;  an(l  through  the  able  defence  made  by  Count  Frontenac, 
was  obliged  to  re-embark  without  efl'ecting  his  object.  An  attempt  against  Mon- 
treal was  also  defeated  by  the  aiiility  of  Des  Callierds.  The  contest  was  sus- 
pended by  the  peace  of  1697,  when,  to  the  great  discontent  of  the  inhabitantg, 
.\cadia  was  restored  to  France.  During  the  war  of  the  Spanish  succession, 
two  expeditions,  the  one  in  1704,  and  the  other  in  1707,  failed  in  achieving  the 
conquest  of  that  province  ;  but  General  Nicholson,  in  September,  1710,  finally 
annexed  it,  under  the  title  of  Nova  Scotia,  to  the  British  crown.  He  proceeded 
afterward  to  make  a  grand  effort  against  the  Canadian  capital,  which  was  frus- 
trated by  the  shipwreck  of  his  squadron  near  the  Seven  Islands.  Still  the  force 
of  England  was  considered  so  superior,  that  she  must  ultimately  have  triumphed, 
had  not  the  contest  been  terminated  in  1713  by  the  peace  of  Utrecht.  France 
retained  Canada,  but  was  obliged  to  cede  Acadia  and  Newfoundland  ;  also  to 
make  over  to  Britain  her  claims  to  the  sovereignty  of  the  Five  Nations. 

A  long  peace  now  followed,  and  though  jealousies  continued,  no  open  hostili- 
ties ensutd  till  1744,  when  the  war  which  Britain  had  for  several  years  waged 
with  Spain  was  extended  to  France.  The  latter  power,  though  deprived  of 
Nova  Scotia  by  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  had  retained  Cape  Breton,  and  erected 
upon  it  Louisburg,  which,  by  an  expenditure  of  jCl, 200,000,  was  supposed  to 
have  been  rendered  one  of  the  strongest  of  modem  fortresses.  The  New  Eng- 
land colonies,  however,  having,  with  characteristic  ardor,  determined  to  attack  it, 
raised  4,000  men,  and  placed  them  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Pepperel, 
who,  on  the  30th  April,  1745,  took  the  enemy  somewhat  by  surprise.  Being 
seconded  by  the  fleet  under  Admiral  Warren,  he  in  seven  w«eks  reduced  thia 
grand  bulwark  of  their  power  in  America ;  and  though  they  made  several  vigor- 
ous efforts,  they  did  not  succeed  in  retrieving  this  disaster.  Nevertheless,  at 
the  treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelle  in  1748,  the  colonists  had  the  mortification  to  see 
the  fruits  of  their  valor  snatched  from  them.  Cape  Breton  being  restored  in  ex- 
change for  some  continental  advantages,  which  were  more  highly  prized  by  the 
British  king  and  ministry.  They  expressed  the  deepest  discontent,  and  hssi- 
tated  not  even  to  charge  the  government  at  home  with  a  desire  to  maintain  the 
power  of  Louis,  in  order  to  check  the  spirit  of  internal  independence. 

The  French,  meantime,  had  become  inspired  with  an  eager  desire  to  extend 
their  North  American  possessions.  Having  at  various  points  been  brought  into 
contact  wi.h  the  back  settlements  of  their  rival,  they  had  been  generally  success- 
ful in  gaining  tiie  alliance  of  the  Indians,  from  whose  warlike  character  impor- 
tant aid  was  expected.  They  made  the  most  active  movements  in  New  Bruns- 
wick, hoping  thence  to  penetrate  into  Nova  Scotia,  where  they  would  find  a 
population  originally  French,  and  still  strongly  attached  to  the  country  of  their 
fathers.  But  the  enterprises  which  caused  the  greatest  inquietude  took  place 
along  the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi.  The  colonists  had  already,  at  different 
points,  penetrated  the  barrier  of  the  Alleghany,  and  began  to  discover  the  value 
of  the  country  extending  to  those  mighty  streams.  The  enemy,  on  the  other 
hand,  in  virtue  of  certain  voyages  made  in  the  preceding  century  by  Marquette 
and  La  Salle,  claimed  the  whole  range  of  the  Mississippi,  by  attaining  which, 
their  settlements  in  Canada  and  New  Orleans  would  be  formed  into  one  continu- 
ous territory.  This  pretension,  if  referred  to  that  peculiar  law  according  to 
which  Laropeans  have  divided  America  among  themselvea,  seems  not  wholl> 


OF  'IllH  AMKUiC.AN  REVOLUTION. 


IDS 


nner,  and 
,  of  1688, 
iiwfermined 
icadia  waR 
oiir  vessels 
display  the 
Frontenac, 
gainst  Mon- 

St    was  8U8- 

inhahitantg, 
succession, 
hieving  the 
710,  finally 
5  proceeded 
I  was  frus- 
ill  the  force 
I  triumphed, 
»t.  France 
id  ;  also  to 
ins. 

ipen  hostili- 
ears  waged 
leprived  of 
md  erected 
lupposed  to 
New  Eng- 
to  attack  it, 
il  Pepperel, 
ise.  Being 
sduced  this 
iveral  vigor- 
srtheless,  at 
ition  to  bee 
;ared  in  ex- 
rized  by  the 
t,  and  hesi- 
laintain  the 

e  to  extend 
brought  into 
illy  succcss- 
icter  impor- 
Mew  Bruns- 
ould  find  a 
itry  of  their 

took  place 
at  diflferent 
er  the  value 
n  the  other 
r  Marquette 
ning  which, 
one  coutinu- 
.ccording  to 

not  wholly 


unfounded,  'lliov  had  iid.lfd,  lu.vvcv.r,  a  more  exorbiti.nl  tiam.  of  all  the  streams 
'alliiur  into  th.-  great  river,  wliirh  would  have  carried  tliem  to  the  vry  sumnnt 
of  the  Alletihanv,  and  have  henmuMl  in  the  IJritish  colonists  ,„  a  manner  to 
which  they  wcr'o  i)V  no  means  disposed  to  submit.  1  l>e  banks  of  tlie  Oliio  be- 
came the  debateablc  ground  on  whidi  this  collisioi,  mainly  took  place. 

The  British  were  so  contideni  in  their  rij-ht,  that  in  1749,  an  association  was 
formed  of  merchants  in  London,  combined  with  Virfrinian  planters,  called  the 
Ohio  Company,  who  received  from  the  crown  a  grant  ot  600,000  acres  on  that 
r-ver  Similar  donations  were  made  to  otlier  parties,  who  could  not  with  anj 
dejrreeof  safety  turn  them  to  account,  in  tlie  face  of  such  pretensions  as  the 
French  advanced  and  showed  a  determination  to  support.  These  assumed  so 
menacing  a  character,  that  Mr.  Dinwiddie,  -overnor  of  Virginia,  under  instruc 
tions  from  home,  judged  it  necessary  to  send  a  commissioner  to  examine  the 
state  of  affairs  on  that  frontier,  to  confer  with  the  French  commander  and  urge 
him  to  desist  from  farther  encroachment.  This  little  expedition  is  memorable 
from  the  command  being  intrusted  to  Major  George  Washington. 


tio.  43.— Washington.  From  an  early  Print  by  Trumbull. 
Georoe  Washington,  whose  name  will  descend  to  the  latest  posterity  as 
the  Father  of  his  CouNTav,  as  first  in  war,  first  in  peace,  and  first  in  the 
hearts  of  his  countrymen,  was  born  near  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  in  West- 
moreland county,  in  Virginia,  on  the  22d  of  February,  1732.  He  wao  great- 
grandson  to  John  Washington,  a  gentleman  of  a  respectable  family,  who  had 
emigrnted  from  the  north  of  England  about  the  middle  of  the  preceding  century, 
and  had  settled  on  the  place  where  George  Washington  was  born.  George  was 
the  third  son  of  his  father,  Augustine  Washington,  who  died  when  he  was  very 
young.  After  receiving  a  very  plain  education,  he  learned  something  of  the 
business  of  land  surveying,  and  was  in  his  eighteenth  year  appointed  surveyor 
of  the  wes'ern  part  of  the  territory  called  the  Northern  Neck  of  Virginia,  by 
Lord  Fairfax,  the  proprietor  of  that  country,  whose  niece  had  been  married  to 
George  Washington's  eldest  brother.  Two  years  later,  and  through  the  same 
inlluence,  when  the  provincial  militia  was  to  be  trained  for  actual  servica.  he 
was  appointed  one  of  the  adjutant  generals  of  the  Virginia  militia,  with  the  rvtl- 


;0B 


THE    I'ICTORIAL    HISTORY 


ol   TiHjor.     Two  years  after  this,  in  1753,  when   the   designs  of  the    French   ii 
anada  bei;an  to  create  ahirni  in  all.  our  colonics,  he  was  despatched  on  a  half 
diplomatic  mission  to  the  French  commandant  on  the  Ohio,  and  acquitted  him- 
self with  great  judgment  and  ability,  f'iling,  indeed,  in  his  remonstrances  with 
M.  Le  (iardeur  de  St.  Pierre,  but  informing  himself  fully  of  the  condition  of  the 
Frencli  force,  surveying  with  a  careftd  eye  the  vast  tract  of  country — then  almost 
an  unexplored  wilderni'ss — he  had  to  pass  through,  and  winning  over  the   wild 
Indian  tribes  to  the  interests  of  the  ccdonies.     On  his  return  to  Virginia  \Vash- 
iiigton  be  -ame,  in  a  small  and  very   modest    way,  an   author  ;  for   ne   published 
the  journal  of  his  very  interesting  expedition.      In  the  course  of  1754,  when  it 
wa.s  tietermined  to  dislodge  the  French,  without  declaration  of  war  by  England, 
from  some  forts  they  were  building  on  the    Ohio  and  at   the    confluence  of  the 
Monongahela  and  Alleghany   rivers,  he    was   appointed  lieutenant  colonel  of  a 
l)rovineia!   regiment,  and   sent   with   Colonel    Fry   toA^ard  the   scene  of  action, 
which  he  had  carefully  examined  on  his  former  journey.     Fry  died  in  the  wilds, 
and  then  Washington  took  the  sole  command.      He  was  joined  by  some  of  the 
Indian  tribes,  wtiose  friendship  he  had  captivated,  and  was  further  reinforced  'oy 
two  indeptMident  companies  of  regulars  ;  but,  instead  of  taking  the  French  and 
their  forts  by  surprise,  he  was  taken  by  surprise  himself,  and  was  compelled  to 
retreat  to  a  stockade  or  fort  at  the  Great  Meadows,  now  termed  Fort  Necessity, 
where  he  was  soon  surrounded  by  the  French,  and,  after  a  gallar    resistance, 
compelled  to  capitulate.     It  is  (juite  clear  that  he  had  been  rash  and  over-haz- 
ardous— an  inherent  defect  in  his  military  conduct  which  he  was  quick  in  cor- 
recting.    Being  allowed  the  honors  of  war,  and  suffered  to  march  without 
molestation  into  the  inhabited  parts  of  Virginia,  he  returned  home  with  his  little 
detachment  considerably  reduced.     The  legislature  of  Virginia,  in  admiration 
of  ..>«  courage  displayed,  passed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  him  and  the  officers  under 
his  coiamand. 

By  this  time  the  colonists  begaB  seriously  to  feel  the  absence  of  some  general 
co-operation  against  thi;*  formidable  enemy.     Those  who  stood  most  immediately 
exposed  to  attack,  compLined  that  upon  them  alone  was  thrown  the  whole  burden 
of  repelling  it ;  and  the  government  at  home  were  at  length  induced  to  recom- 
mend a  convention  of  delegates  being  held  at  Albany,  to  concert  with  each 
other,  and  with  the  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations,  a  plan  of  united  defence.     The 
New  England  states,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  New  York,  complied  with 
the  advice,  and  appointed  deputies,  who  assembled  in  June,  1754  ;  when  the 
lead  was  taken  by  Benjamin  Franklin,  who  ranked  already  as  one  of  the  most 
intelligent  and  distinguished  citizens  of  America.     Rising  from  a  humble  sta- 
tion, he  had  acquired  a  paramount  influence  in  his  own  state  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  been  appointed  postmaster  general  for  the  colonies.     He  soon  submitted  to 
his  colleagues  a  very  bold  and  important  project.     A  general  government,  con- 
sisting of  a  president  appointed  by  the  crown,  and  of  a  council  of  representatives 
from  the  respective  colonies,  were  to  be  invested  with  the  general  direction  of 
war,  peace,  treaties,  and  transactions  with  the  Indians.     They  were  to  have  the 
power  of  imposing  such  taxes  as  might  be  deemed  necessary  for  these  purposes ; 
and  their  acts,  if  not  disallowed  by  the  king  within  three  years,  were  to  acquire 
the  force  of  law.     They  might  also  levy  troops,  the  commanding  officers  being 
appointed  by  the  president,  subject  to  the  approbation  of  the  council.     For  this 
scheme  Franklin  gained  the  approbation  of  all  the  delegates,  except  those  from 
Connecticut ;  bu'  when  submitted  to  the  respective  governments,  it  met  a  very 
different  fate.     They  all  considered  these  powers,  especially  that  of  taxation,  a.i 
far  too  great  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  body  over  whom  each  had  so  little 
control.      Its   reception  was  equally  unfavorable  in  the  British  cabinet,  who 
viewed  it,  not  without  reason,  «8  an  arrangement  rendering  America  almodt  en- 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


Mr» 


French   ii 
on  a  half 
iiitted  him- 
miccs  with 
ition  of  the 
hen  almost 
■r  the  wild 
inia  Wash- 
I   published 
)4,  when  it 
y  England, 
mce  of  till- 
oionel  of  a 
B  of  action, 
1  the  wilds, 
(ome  of  the 
in  forced  by 
French  and 
ompelled  to 
,  Necessity, 
resistance, 
i  ovor-haz- 
uick  in  cor- 
rch  without 
ith  his  little 
admiration 
ficers  under 

nme  general 
immediately 
hole  burden 
id  to  recom- 
.  with  each 
ence.  The 
mplied  with 
;  when  the 
of  the  most 
humble  sta- 
ennsylvania, 
submitted  to 
rnment,  con- 
)resentatives 
direction  of 
B  to  have  the 
se  purposes ; 
re  to  acquire 
iflicers  being 
il.  For  this 
)t  those  from 
it  met  a  very 
f  taxation,  an 
had  so  little 
cabinet,  who 
:a  almodt  en- 


tirely independent.  Thus  the  plan,  recommended  as  it  was  by  such  high  au> 
thority,  proved  wholly  abortive  ;  though  perhaps  it  had  some  small  influence  in 
paving  the  way  for  a  similar  union,  which  future  emergencies  induced  the  col- 
onies to  form. 

The  British  ministry  were,  however,  determined  to  supp^  rt  their  cause  with 
the  utmost  vigor.  Warm  remonstrances  were  made  to  the  court  of  France, 
which  lavished  in  return  pacific  professions  and  even  promises  ;  but  they  were 
directly  contradicted  by  actions,  which  left  no  doubt  of  a  firm  determination  to 
maintain  her  lofty  pretensions.  It  was  resolved,  therefore,  to  employ  force  in 
driving  the  French  from  their  present  advanced  position  ;  and  in  the  beginning 
of  1755,  General  Braddock,  with  two  regiments,  was  despatched  from  Ireland 
to  co-operate  with  the  Virginia  forces  in  obtaining  the  command  of  the  Ohio. 
His  arrival  excited  enthusiastic  hopes,  and  at  Alexandria  he  met  the  governors 
of  five  colonies,  assembled  to  concert  the  general  plan  of  a  campaign.  Wash- 
iiierton  had  quitted  the  army  on  account  of  a  regulation  by  which  the  colonial 
iithcers  were  made  to  rank  under  those  of  the  regular  army  ;  but,  at  the  solicita- 
tion of  Braddock,  he  consented  to  act  as  his  aid-de-cump,  in  the  character  of  a 


"«*» 


^ 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLrTION. 


105> 


^ 


] 


V 


■3 


^^v 


eolunteer.  \  et  their  movements  were  almost  arrested  l)y  the  failure  of  the  Vu' 
ginian  contractors  to  furnish  the  wagons  necessary  for  transporting  the  baggage 
and  artillery.  In  this  emergency,  Franklin,  by  great  exertions,  and  by  influence 
with  the  farmers  of  Pennsylvania,  succeeded  in  procuring  these  supplies  ;  but 
before  they  could  be  transported  across  the  rugged  Allegany,  a  long  tiuie  would 
necessarily  elapse,  during  which*  the  enemy  might  strengthen  Duquesne  and 
reinforce  the  garrison.  At  the  earnest  entreaty  of  Washington,  it  was  therefore 
determined  to  press  forward  with  1 ,200  well-appointed  men,  and  that  Colonel 
Dunbar,  with  the  heavy  artillery  and  baggage,  should  remain  behind.  Washing- 
ion,  however,  was  dismayed  to  find  thai  Braddock,  though  a  I  rave  and  experi- 
enced officer,  was  wetMed  to  the  forms  of  regular  European  warfare.  Instead 
of  causing  his  troops  to  push  briskly  across  the  intervening  obstacles,  he  em- 
ployed them  in  levelling  every  hillock,  and  throwing  bridges  over  every  brook. 
Again,  though  advised  to  accept  the  offered  aid  of  some  Indians,  at  least  for 
scouring  the  woods  and  guarding  against  surprise,  he  despised  such  auxiliaries, 
and  treated  them  so  coldly  that  they  quickly  dropped  ofT.  Washington  being 
unfortunately  seized  with  a  violent  illness,  was  unable  by  his  utmost  efforts  'o 
keep  up  with  the  army,  but  rejoined  it  on  the  evening  of  the  8th  July,  within 
fifteen  miles  of  Fort  Duquesne,  against  which  this  laborious  movement  was  di- 
rected. The  garrison  was  understood  to  be  small,  and  quite  inadequate  to  re 
sist  the  great  force  now  brought  to  bear  upon  it ;  exulting  hope  filled  every 
heart ;  and  no  one  doubted  to  see  the  British  flag  waving  next  day  over  the  bat 
tlements,  and  the  enemy  rooted  out  from  all  Western  America.  The  march 
next  morning  is  described  as  a  splendid  spectacle  ;  being  made  in  full  military 
array,  with  a  majestic  river  on  one  hand,  and  deep  woods  on  the  other.  Not 
an  enemy  appeared,  and  the  most  profound  silence  reigned  over  this  wild  territo- 
ry. They  proceeded,  forded  the  stream,  and  were  passing  a  rough  tract  cov- 
ered with  wood,  which  led  direct  to  the  fort,  when  suddenly  a  destructive  fire 
was  poured  in  upon  the  front,  while  another  rapidly  followed  on  the  right  flank. 
The  assault  was  contim'.jd  by  an  enemy  who  remained  invisible,  closely  hidden 
behind  trees  and  ravines.  The  vanguard  fell  back  in  a  confusion  which  soon 
became  general.  Their  only  hope  would  now  have  been  to  quit  their  ranks, 
rush  behind  the  bushes,  and  fight  man  to  man  with  their  assailants  ;  but  Brad- 
dock  insi:  ^ed  on  forming  them  into  platoons  and  columns,  in  order  to  make 
regular  discharges,  which  stmck  only  the  trees.  After  some  time  spent  in  these 
fruitless  eifotts,  with  the  hidden  fire  still  unabated,  a  general  fight  ensued,  that 
of  the  regulars  being  the  most  precipitate  and  shameful,  while  the  only  stand  waa 
made  by  the  Virginian  hunters.  The  officers  in  general  remained  on  the  field 
while  there  s-iemed  any  hope  of  rallying  their  troops,  and,  consequently,  out  of 
eighty-six  engaged,  sixty-three  were  killed  or  wounded  ;  the  commander  himself 
mortally.  Of  the  privates,  714  fell ;  the  rout  was  complete,  and  the  more  dis- 
graceful, in  that  it  was  before  an  inferior  enemy,  whose  number  did  not  exceed 
850,  of  whom  only  250  were  Europeans.  During  this  disastrous  day,  Wash- 
ington displayed  an  admirable  courage  and  coolness.  After  the  fall  of  so  many 
officers,  he  alone  remained  to  convey  orders,  and  was  seen  galloping  in  every 
direction  across  the  field,  amid  the  thickest  fire  ;  yet,  by  a  dispensation  which 
seemed  providential,  though  four  balls  passed  through  his  clothes,  and  two  horse.^ 
were  killed  under  him,  he  escaped  unhurt ;  and  very  contrary  to  his  wish,  this 
melancholy  disaster  greatly  elevated  his  reputation.  The  remnant  of  the  army 
retreated  precipitately  into  the  low  country,  whither  the  French  considered 
themselves  too  weak  to  pursue  them. 

Meantime,  a  militia  force  of  about  5,000  men  waa  assembled  at  Albany,  fdt 
nn  expedition  against  the  important  fortress  of  C'rown  roint,  on  the  borders  of 
Canada.     The  commander  was  William  Johnson,  an  Irishman,  who  had  risen 


.,---;  .-fc^tad-w  ^-!3J)**  --**i...*.»  «*-»*•■«•)»  k><—*-J.=  i».4«>**4»JvMl?'ffGii3W>- 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  UEV(M,UTI()N. 


Ilk 


from  the  ranks,  and  whose  unconunon  luidily  strength,  witli  ;i  rude  rncrtjy  of 
I'liariicfer,  had  onaldt'd  liiin  to  acquire  a  jircater  inlhience  over  the  Inchan  trilies 
than  any  other  British  oHieer.  Havin<;  readied  tlie  soutliern  extremity  of  [-ai,e 
George,  and  h-arned  that  the  enemy  were  «'r<H'Mnii[  an  additional  fort  at  '{'icon 
ileroga,  he  resolved  to  push  forward,  hoiiin^r  o  reduce  it  liefore  the  works  were 
completed.  Intellis,'cnee,  however,  was  soon  received,  which  re(|tiiri'd  iiini  to 
Btand  on  the  defensive.  Haron  Dieskau,  an  able  commaiidcr,  had  carried  out 
from  France  a  large  reinforcement,  and  having  added  to  them  a  considtrahle 
luidy  of  Indians,  was  advancing  to  attack  the  British  settlements.  He  at  first 
pioceedeil  toward  Oswego,  but  on  learning  the  advance  of  Johnson,  ha!-ten»il  ti 
direct  his  operations  against  him.  'i"he  latter  had  fortified  his  camp,  b.il  thronch 
defective  information,  sent  forward  an  advanced  piirty  of  1,000  inen,  who  at  a 
distance  of  about  three  miles  unexpectedly  met  the  enemy,  and  were  driven  back 
with  great  loss  Dieskau  then  marched  forward  to  assault  the  main  camp, 
which  he  seemed  to  have  a  fair  prospect  of  carrying  ;  but  .lohn.'<on  received  him 
\Nith  the  utmost  firmness,  and  opening  a  brisk  tire,  caused  t)te  Indians  and  militia 
'.o  fall  back.  The  French  regulars  maintained  the  contest  for  several  hours  with 
great  vigor,  and  the  British  general  was  even  obliged  by  a  severe  wound  to 
leave  the  command  to  Lyman,  his  second.  The  final  result  however  was,  that 
the  assailants  were  completely  repulsed,  with  the  loss  of  nearly  1,000  pien. 
Dieskau  himself  was  mortally  wounded  and  made  prisoner  ;  and  his  retreating 
forces,  being  suddenly  assailed  by  a  small  detachment  from  New  York,  aban- 
doned their  baggage  and  took  to  flight.  !♦  was  thought  by  many,  that  if  John- 
son had  followed  up  his  victory  by  an  attack  on  down  Point,  or  at  least  on 
Ticonderoga,  he  would  have  succeeded ;  but  he  did  not  choose  to  hazard  the 
laurels  already  gained. 

It  may  be  mentioned  also  that  in  this  busy  campaign,  Shirley,  the  governor  of 
Massachusetts,  led  an  expedition  against  Niagara ;  but  the  difhcnlties  of  th« 
march,  and  the  discouragenieni  spread  by  the  tidings  of  Braddock's  defeat,  pre- 
vented his  engaging  in  any  undertaking.  It  would  seem,  indeed,  that  the  Brit- 
ish forces  were  scattered  in  too  many  q-'arters,  instead  of  concentrating  them- 
selves in  one  united  effort  against  some  important  position  or  commanding 
stronghold. 

The  war  which  had  thus  for  some  time  been  covertly  waged  between  the  two 
f'-^ions,  was,  m  1756,  openly  declared  ;  and  increased  exertions  were  made  on 
iioth  sides.  In  a  council  rf  governors  held  at  New  York,  three  expeditions  were 
plnnned,  in  which  21,000  men  were  to  be  employed.  Abercromby  and  Lord 
London,  however,  who  successively  went  out  as  commander-in-chief,  did  not 
possess  the  requisite  energy  ;  and  discontents  arose  among  the  provincial  of- 
ficers, from  being  compelled  to  take  rank  under  the  regulars.  The  French 
force,  meantime,  was  united  under  Montcalm,  an  oflScer  of  high  spirit ;  and  while 
th{!  British  were  deliberating,  he  hastened  against  the  two  forts  at  Oswego, 
which,  as  they  protected  Lake  Ontario,  formed  their  principal  bulwark  in  that 
quarter.  On  the  lOtii  of  August  he  began  the  siege  of  the  first,  which  was  soon 
evacuated  by  its  defenders,  owing  to  the  failure  of  their  ammunition,  and  he  then 
assailed  the  other  with  such  vigor,  that  it  surrendered  on  the  14th,  CoU)neI  Mer- 
eer,  t!.e  commander,  having  been  killed  in  the  attack.  The  garrison,  amounting 
to  1,100,  became  prisoners  of  war,  while  I'^l  pieces  of  cannon,  with  a  quantity 
of  stores,  sloops,  and  boats,  fell  into  1  ^  hands.  In  the  following  year,  he 
marched  against  Fort  William  Henry,  on  Lake  George,  commenced  the  siege 
in  the  beginning  of  August,  and  compelled  it,  in  six  days,  to  surrender.  The 
defenders  stipulated  to  march  out  with  the  honors  of  war,  and  rejoin  their  coun- 
trymen ;  but  these  terms  were  completely  violated  by  the  Indians,  who  barba- 
rously massacretl  a  great  number  of  them.     Montcalm's  friends  have  studioush 


II? 


THE    PICTOHIAF-    IIISTOKY 


(Irli'iidt'd  liiiii  iiL'Miiist  any  fliar!;f,  t-vi-ii  of  m-iilci-t,  on  tlii*  dreailfnl  orcusiou  . 
but  l)I:iini'  was  aitaclicil,  at  thr  tiini>,  lioili  to  him  and  his  nlliccrij,  and  then;  wnt 
acconhiiijlv  kimUi'il  ihrt)iii;liiint  the  cKhinics  a  df('|i  thirst  lor  vcnucancp. 

Hitherto  tliis  war  had  hcfii  an  almost  coiitinucd  serifs  of  disaster  and  dis- 
({race  ,  ami  in  Kiirope  similar  results  were  seen  to  I'ollow  the  I'eelile  measures 
of  the  eal>iiiet.  Hut  the  spirit  ol"  the  nati'in,  heing  now  aroused,  forced  into 
power  William  Pitt,  perlia|)s  the  most  enerijetie  war  minister  who  has  ever 
swayed  the  Hriiish  counciis.  Adverse  to  military  operations  in  Germany,  lie 
turned  his  main  aiiention  to  the  North  Ameriean  colonies,  and  by  vigorously  an- 
noiineniir  his  rescdution,  ilrew  forth  from  themselves  strenuous  exertions.  Lord 
Loiidon  was  superseded  hy  Amh(?rst,  a  more  al)le  eommander ;  while  the  most 
active  |)art  was  assigned  to  Wolfe,  a  young  ollicer,  in  whom  the  discerning  eye 
of  I'm  discovered  u  rising  military  genius.  It  being  determined  to  strike  the 
rirst  blow  against  Louisburg,  considered  the  centre,  of  French  power  in  that 
quarter,  an  expedition  sailetl  against  it  in  May,  1757,  and  by  the  end  of  July 
cliiedy  through  his  exertions,  it  was  compelled  to  surrender.  This  success  was 
followed  u|)  next  year  by  a  more  formidable  attempt,  under  the  same  commander, 
against  Ijuebec,  capital  of  New  F^rance.  On  the  13th  September,  1759,  a  splen- 
did victory,  dearly  purchased  indeed  by  the  death  of  that  gallant  olficer,  placed 
the  city  in  the  undisputed  possession  of  Britain. 

Alter  this  trium|)h,  France  could  with  difficulty  maintain  her  jwsts  in  the  in- 
terior. In  1758,  General  Abercromby,  with  16,000  regulars  and  provincials, 
marched  against  Grown  Point  and  Ticonderoga.  The  first  skirmish  was  marked 
by  the  fall  of  Lord  Howe,  a  young  officer  of  high  promise,  and  much  beloved  in 
America.  The  commander,  having  soon  after  made  a  premature  assault  on  the 
last-mentioned  fort,  was  repulsed  with  considerable  loss,  when  he  raised  the 
siege  and  precipitately  retreated.  Colonel  Bradstreet,  however,  at  the  head  of 
a  detachment,  captured  Fort  Frontignac,  a  post  of  some  consequence  on  Lake 
Ontario. 

-Meantime  the  Virginians,  notwithstanding  their  most  earnest  wishes,  had  in 
vain  attempted  to  renew  the  expedition  against  Fort  Duquesne ;  having  placed 
under  the  command  of  Washington  >»  lorce  barely  sufficient  to  check  the  incur- 
sions of  the  French  and  Indians.  In  1758,  however,  under  the  auspices  of  Pitt, 
General  Forbes  arrived  with  a  body  of  troops,  which  the  provincials  soon  raised 
to  6,000  ;  but,  lontrary  to  the  urgent  advice  of  the  American,  instead  of  pushing 
on  by  a  track  already  formed,  he  undertook  to  cut  a  new  one  through  forests 
almost  impracticable.  He  accordingly  failed  to  reach  the  scene  of  action  till 
November,  when  the  season  was  too  late  for  active  operations,  and  the  provis- 
ions were  nearly  exhausted.  A  party  under  Major  Grant,  having  rashly  ad- 
vanced, were  defeated  with  great  loss.  The  situation  of  the  army  appeared 
very  serious,  when  news  arrived  that  the  "arrison,  reduced  to  500,  and  dis- 
couraged probably  by  the  fall  of  Louisburg  and  the  dangers  menacing  Canada, 
had  set  tire  to  the  fort,  and  retreated  in  boats  down  the  river.  The  Indians,  who 
had  already  abandoned  their  cause,  readily  entered  into  terms  with  the  British, 
and  tranquillity  was  established  along  the  whole  line  of  the  back  settlements. 
By  ilip  peace  of  Paris,  France  ceded  it  and  all  the  adjacent  countries.  Spain 
was  also  obliged  to  yield  Florida ;  and  Britain  acquired  a  vast,  compact,  and 
flourishing  empire,  reaching  from  the  arctic  zone  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

It  would  have  been  satisfactory  could  we  have  added  a  particular  view  of  the 
progress  made  during  this  period  by  the  colonies,  in  population,  industry,  and 
wealth.  Their  advance  was  certainly  most  rapid  ;  yet  the  details  are  scanty 
and  in  many  cases  doubtful.  They  were  favored  by  a  combination  of  circum- 
stances almost  unprecedented.  An  industrious  race,  skilled  in  agriculture,  were 
transported  to  a  country  where  land  to  any  extent  could  be  easily  obtained 


«  >iir»'' .It*,,  ,M^3iWtk/M)|Xf.':f^5-r^4^^ 


OF  THK  A.MEKICAN  KKVOLHTION. 


!1J 


)CC!IS10I1  , 
lltTl!    Wil« 

iiiid  (lis- 
iii'iisureM 
ci'il   iiitu 

tiiaiiy,  lie 

roiisly  ail- 

l.oni 

the  iiiu!>t 

riling  eye 

strike  the 

ill   tlial 

of  July 

cccss  was 

iiiiiiaiider, 

1»,  a  splen- 

<;r,  placed 


I'hf  abundance  of  the  neceesaries  of  life  llius  produced,  removed  all  check  to 
marriage  and  the  rearing  of  children  :  wiiiie  the  same  circumstances  invited  a 
conlinual  iullux  of  emigrants  from  i'',urope.  Hence  arose  a  rapid  increase  of 
population,  of  which  the  modern  world  at  least  had  never  seen  any  example  , 
doiihling,  it  was  supposed,  in  twenty-live  or  even  twenty  years. 

The  commercial  progress  of  the  colonies  was  e(]ually  rapid,  and  excited  a 
still  greater  interest.  Their  exports  consisteil  almost  exclusively  of  the  rude 
productions  of  land  ;  a  circumstance  most  grateful  to  the  Knglish  people,  since 
it  naturally  led  to  the  desire  to  take  their  commodities  in  exchangt .  Their  prog- 
ress in  agriculture,  by  absorbing  at  once  their  capital  and  their  labor,  prevented 
them  from  making  any  attempt  to  manufaciure  goods  for  themselves  ;  while,  by 
increasing  their  wealth,  it  induced  them  to  prefer  the  fabrics  of  hritain 
lo  the  rude  home-made  stuffs  with  which  they  had  been  at  first  conlenied. 
There  was,  however,  a  difficulty  in  finding  articles,  such  as  the  rich  prodiuis 
of  the  West  indies,  which  would  obtain  a  place  in  the  market  of  Europe.  Silk 
and  wine,  the  early  objects  of  hope  and  pride,  never  succeeded  ;  and  though,  in 
1731,  there  were  exported  from  Virginia  three  hundred  weight  of  the  former, 
llieir  expectations  from  this  source  proved  ultimately  fallacious.  What  they 
vainly  sought,  however,  came  upon  them  from  unexpected  quarters ;  and  we 
have  seen  how  tobacco  forced  itself  into  the  place  of  a  leading  exjiort.  During 
the  present  period,  Virginia  and  Maryland  became  the  chief  sour<'es  whence  all 
Europe  was  supplied.  In  1744  and  the  two  succeeding  years,  Ilritain  imported 
40,000,000  pounds,  whereof  30,000  were  re-exported.  Rice  also  was  accident- 
ally introduced  in  the  manner  already  mentioned  ;  and  so  congenial  was  the 
swampy  soil  of  Carolina  to  its  culture,  that  nearly  the  whole  quantity  consumed 
in  Europe  was  raised  in  that  plantation.  The  productions  of  the  northern  col- 
onies being  nearly  the  same  with  those  of  Britain,  met  with  no  demand  from 
our  merchants  ;  but  the  surplus  of  grain  found  a  market  in  Spain  and  I'orttigal ; 
provisions  and  timber  were  sent  to  the  West  Indies  ;  and  thence  they  obtained 
the  mean«  to  pay  for  foreign  manufactures.  To  New  England  again,  the  fish- 
eries and  shipbuilding  were  a  continual  source  of  ever-increasing  wealth.  The 
following  exhibits  a  view  of  the  progressive  increase  of  imports  and  eX|  irts 
from  1700  to  1763:— 


New  England... 

New  York 

Pennsylvania.... 
Virginia,     and 
Maryland  .... 

Carolina 

Georgia 

1701 

1730 

1750 

1763             1 

British 
Imports. 

Exports. 

£ 
86,322 
31,910 
12,003 

199,683 
13,908 

3l3"ii26 

Imports. 

Exports. 

£ 
208,196 
64,356 
48,592 

150,931 
64,785 

536,860 

Imports. 

£ 

48,455 
35,634 
28,191 

1 508,939 

191.607 

1      1,942 

|814,768 

Exports. 

Imports. 

Exports. 

£ 

32,656 

18,547 

5,220 

233,738 
16,973 

309,134 

£ 
54,701 

8,740 
10,582 

346,823 
151,739 

.572,585 

£ 

343,659 
267,130 
217,713 

349,419 

133,037 

2,125 

1,313,083 

£ 

74,815 
53,988 
38,228 

642,294 

282,366 

14,469 

£ 

258,854 
2;J8,560 
284,152 

5,'>5,391 

250,132 

44,908 

1,106,160 

1,631,997 

In  1769,  a  merchant,  under  the  title  of  The  American  Traveller  (4to,  London, 
1769),  published  a  very  detailed  statement  of  the  commerce  of  the  colonics,  on 
an  average  of  the  preceding  three  years  ;  and  as  this  does  not  seem  to  be  gen- 
erally known,  we  here  present  a  summary,  which  may  interest  some  clh^sea 
of  readers : — 

8 


14    PICTORIAL  HISTORY  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOIA  :  lON. 


I 

Maana* 

Hxntnl 

Ntiw 

IVniisyi- 

Virf'a  A 

Nurth 

South 

.1.  .   i 

rlllUfirj 

N    K. 

_\jwk_ 

varii:>. 

MarylM. 

Ciirnlina 

Carolina 

Oeorfia. 

Total. 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

r 

£ 

£ 

£ 

Dry  Cod     .    .    . 

lOIMHMI 

_ 

— 

— . 



^ 

l(K?,i""l 

Pt  ;kled  Fiih  .    . 

M.INHI 

:,iHH) 

— 

— 



_ 

_ 

«_ 

■  .■i.!)!    ' 

Timber  .... 

4S,IHHI 

30,0  H) 

JS.nou 

35,000 

55.000 

15.000 

10,000 

11,000 

33M.IHXI 

Shir.    .... 

Itf.lMNI 

— 

H,t)UO 

IT.Sirn 

30,000 

_ 

6,000 

... 

II  «,.'>(») 

WhHie   and  Cod 

Oil,  *c.  .    .    . 

lU.WM) 

OT.5.10 

— 

— 

_ 

.« 

_ 

'   «iiKI 

I.lve  Slock     .     . 

l-.UOO 

SS.IHK) 

17,0(10 

SO.OUU 



.. 

13,000 

_ 

^^  iVMi 

Saltnd   n«ar  and 

1 

Pi'.k  .... 

IS.W) 

•J.lMH) 

36.000 

ss.uuo 

15,000 

« 

33,000 

. 

MU.MO 

I'Mluh       .    . 

au.wH. 

':,ulK) 

M,IH)0 

— 

_ 

... 

— . 

^ 

fi.imo 

Uneswax,  Ac.    . 

D.'XHi 

— 

l,5(K) 

1,000 

— . 

_ 

— . 

— 

II.VHJ 

FIdur  and  biicutt 

— 

— 

siii.uoo 

350,000 

-. 

.. 





idKi.uod 

(•Min     .... 

— 

— . 

IKMHKI 

iiajKJo 

70,000 

.» 

ia,ooo 



304, IK  HI 

Skins     .... 

— 

_ 

3S,IKI0 

50,000 

35,(HX) 

^ 

45,000 

17,000 

i:3,IHW 

Ciinper  and  Iron 
Tobacco     .     .    . 

— 

— 

SII.OOU 

35,000 

35,(K)0 

_ 

*. 

— 

Wl.UOd 

— 

— 

— 

— 

768.000 

M.OOO 

_ 

— 

783.1100 

Rica 

-.. 

— 

— 

— . 

— 

— 

190,000 

M.OOO 

as«,noo 

Indiiio    .... 

— 

— 

— 

— 

i* 

_ 

50,000 

1,700 

i»,70"' 

Tar 

— 

^ 

— 

-. 

_ 

I7»fl00 

8.iM)0 

— . 

30,400 

Hninp     .... 

— 

^ 

— 

— . 

aj.ooo 

^ 

^ 

.^ 

11,1100 

Flniiieed    .     .     . 

— 

— 

14,000 

S0,000 

N.rKH) 

— 

— 

— 

S8,ono 

Samafras  .    .     . 

.— 

— 

— 

^ 

7.'»*0 

.» 

«. 

» 

7,(H)0 

Silk 

— 

— 

— 

— 

. 

_ 

— . 

l,S0O 

150U 

Sundrias     .     .    , 

— 

— 

— 

— 

11,500 

— 

6,000 

17,500 

Xijmnn           .    . 

ro,soo 

114,900 

4afl,son 

7ti ',.•''■) 

1,:  .i>.n.. 

IW,300 

39}.600 

74,300 

3,305.100 

'«poiU      .     . 

l»»,C80 

11,000 

S3I  U'-i 

tli,MA> 

St^.O"! 

18,000 

tA>,OUO 

49,000 

LMIiOt'l 

>Ll  :  lON. 


eorfia. 

Tot»l.    * 

r 

£ 

.- 

\liii  1'  '1 

..^ 

l.'t.ii' 

11,000 

{1}M.(H><> 

— 

llti.Mxl 

— 

«  Slid 

M_ 

MU.MU 

— 

)'i,im(i 

— 

11,  v«) 

— 

rt(KI,U(i;' 

— 

:i(>4,(Nii> 

17,000 

ITS.IHW 

— 

WI.UIHI 

— 

78«,I10«I 

10.000 

'iM.im 

1,700 

51, TO"- 

— 

J0,4U« 

— 

11,(101) 

— 

ss.nno 

... 

7,(I(M) 

s.soo 

».5U)| 

«,0(I0 

__rj50()l 

T4,S00 

3,395.100! 

4I>,U00 

»,IM»,0|.<l 

THB 


AMERICAN    REVOLUTION 


CHAPTER  I. 


ler 

'ose 


The  triumphant  issue  of  the  contesi  with  Fi  nee  seemed  to  have  placed  the 
dn  ish  empire  in  America  on  a  foundai.m  at  on.  •  solid  and  permanent.  The 
oossession  ol  the  whole  eastern  '  oast,  Ir  nn  the  (  ulf  of  N'exico  to  the  Arctic 
ocean,  secured  it  nlmost  completeh  i^'ainsi  ny  oti,  t  European  power,  without 
whose  81'  -port  tl,  natives  could  ii,  ike  onl\  a  very  "eblo  and  desultory  resist- 
ance. 'I  (^  population,  the  wealth,  md  adv;  cing  c.  imerce  of  these  colonies, 
mspired  h  iiiguiie  and  indeed  chimer  -al  hoj).  -  of  fut\  -  advantage.  They  had 
co-operated  most  cordially,  by  strenuous  effoi  '"'1  u 
duous  contest  waged  on  their  soil  ^-y  Britain  'hI 
exultation  ot  immon  success  cenic  uted  still  iih  -• 
most  friendly  elings  appeared  to  bo  mutually  t  ■ 
the  approach  .  that  fatal  crisis  which  was  to  • 
begin  the  sepantion  between  the  Old  and  the  N 

There    vere  i  ot  wanting,  indeed,  circumstance 
result.     '1  he  coi  mies  had  always  professed  a  firn,    ■ 
king ;  and  even    Ir.  Marshall  admits,  that  to  the  ^ 
generally  disputi:   the  supreme  legislative  power  ot 
the  same  time  s>   own  an  extreme  anxiety  to  man; 
way  ;  and  during    heir  silent  growth,  when  commui 
frequent,  they  gem  rally  attained  this  object.     Occasi' 
seized  with  jealous  feelings,  and  sent  out  strict  ai 
the  planters,  by  del  y,  coupled  with  firm  and  respc 
contrived  to  evade  t  leir  execution.     The  discouragen 
though  unfair,  was  c  >■   little  consequence,  when  such  i 
at  all  events  have  bt-en  premature.     The  monopoly  ol    i 
a  more  serious  evil,  was  so  accordant  with  the  contractf 
they  never  thought  oi  disputing  the  right,  or  expecting  it 


at  sacrifices,  in  the  ar- 

owerful  rival ;  and  th« 

the  mutual  ties.     The 

<        and  nothing  indicated 

iiie  .mpire  asunder,  and  to 

Worlds. 

reth  tending  toward  this 

«  i  zealous  allegiance  to  the 

'   latest  period  they  did  not 

rliament :  yet  they  had  at 

their  affairs  in  their  own 

Ui      was  tedious  and  nn- 

laiiy  the  monarchs  were 

mperious  mandates ;  but 

!   remonstrance,  usually 

t  to  their  manufactures, 

r.  (iches  of  industry  would 

heir  commerce,  though 

iews  of  the  age,  that 

,    t  to  be  enforced.     It 


was,  bosides,  execute  1  with  so  much  laxness,  that  the  most  lucrative  deaimgs 
were  carried  on  clandestinely  with  very  little  interruption.  On  this  point  Brit- 
ish jealousy  was  at  length  roused  ;  customhouses  were  erected,  and  cruisers 

stationed  along  the  coast.  ,    ,         ,     .  •        j 

In  Gre»t  Britain,  meanwhile,  the  light  under  which  the  colonies  were  viewed 
underwent  a  material  alteration.  Free  nations,  it  has  been  often  observed,  are 
peculiarly  apt  to  domineer  over  subject  states.  The  people  regarded  with  the 
highest  complacency  their  sway  over  a  vast  transatlantic  empire  :  according  to 
U)rd  Chatham,  even  the  chimney-sweepers  on  the  streets  talked  boastinglv  of 


=-^^-9aKH^*ge%^^"J=  - 


116 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


their  subjects  in  America.  The  ■  itire  subservience  of  the  settlers,  the  powei 
of  parliament  to  impose  upon  them  both  laws  and  taxes,  had  always  at  home 
boon  held  undisputed.  In  their  infant  state,  hov.ever,  when  struggling  with 
poverty  and  danger,  there  had  been  neither  motive  nor  disposition  to  enforce 
these  claims  ;  and  the  occasional  attempts  to  subvert  their  privileges,  having 
b6en  made  in  a  violent  manner  by  arbitrary  and  unpopular  monarchs,  had  ex- 
cited sympathy  among  the  great  body  of  the  nation.  The  case  was  altered, 
when  they  had  attained  a  degree  of  prosperity  which  enabled  them  undoubtedly 
to  make  a  certain  contribution  toward  the  general  interests  of  the  empire  ;  and 
some  benefit  mi]^it  reasonably  be  expected  from  the  vast  exertions  mrde  in  order 
to  promote  their  security.  The  effect  of  these,  indeed  appeared  in  a  serious 
derangement  of  the  national  finances.  The  budget  of  1764  exhibited  an  expen- 
diture hitherto  unprecedented,  leaving  a  deficiency  of  about  three  millions,  which 
was  with  difficulty  supplied  by  temporary  resources  and  by  encroachment  on  the 
sinking  fund.  Successive  changes  in  the  ministry  had  raised  to  its  head  George 
Grenville,  an  honest  statesman,  of  great  political  knowledge  and  indefatigable 
application  ;  but  his  mind,  according  to  the  able  view  of  his  character  drawn  by 
Burke,  could  not  extend  beyond  the  circle  of  official  routine,  and  was  unable  to 
estimate  the  result  of  untried  measures.  He  saw  only  the  emptiness  of  the 
British  exchequer,  the  capability  of  the  Americans  to  pay  a  certain  revenue,  and 
the  supposed  unquestionable  right  to  levy  it. 

Under  these  views,  the  minister,  on  the  10th  March,  1764,  introduced  a  se- 
ries of  resolutions,  asserting  the  right  and  expediency  of  requiring  America  to 
contribute  to  the  general  exigencies  of  the  empire,  and  specifying  a  stamp-duty 
as  an  eligible  mode.  These  formidable  propositions,  which  were  to  shake 
Europe  and  America  to  their  foundations,  were  passed  by  parliament  in  the  inost 
thoughtless  and  careless  manner.  There  is  no  record  of  speech  or  vote  against 
them  in  either  house.  Mr.  Grenville  proceeded,  on  the  5th  May,  with  as  little 
opposition  as  before,  to  bring  in  an  act  imposing  the  Intended  duty.  He  showed 
considerable  indulgence  toward  the  colonies,  having,  on  the  first  moving  of  the 
resolutions,  sent  for  their  agents,  and  stated  his  intention  not  to  push  the  measure 
through  that  session,  but  to  give  them  an  opportunity  of  passing  it  themselves, 
or  of  raising  in  any  other  manner  the  required  sum  of  jClOO,000. 

These  resolutions,  being  transmitted  to  America,  excited  the  strongest  and 
most  hostile  feeling  ;  and  the  colonial  assemblies  almost  unanimously  advanced 
the  claim  of  having  the  sole  right  of  imposing  taxes  on  their  fellow-citizens. 
They  maintained  that  recent  duties  on  imported  goods  had  materially  encroached 
on  this  right,  which  the  proposed  act  would  entirely  extinguish,  and  thus  reduce 
them  completely  to  the  condition  of  slaves.  The  assembly  of  Massachusetts, 
however,  after  passing  resolutions  to  the  full  extent  of  this  principle,  were 
induced  by  Mr.  Hutchinson  so  to  modify  them  as  to  rest  their  opposition 
solely  on  the  ground  of  expediency.  The  other  states,  particularly  Virginia  and 
New  York,  took  also  a  decided  part,  and  petitions  of  the  same  tenor  were  for- 
warded from  many  of  them  to  Great  Britian.  Dr.  Franklin,  already  a  highly 
distinguished  person,  appeared  in  London  as  agent  for  Pennsylvania.  He  and 
th()  others  endeavored  to  impress  strongly  upon  the  minister  the  hopelessness 
of  the  Americans  ever  submitting  to  this  arbitrary  'node  of  taxation. 

Mr.  Grenville,  early  in  February,  1765,  brought  his  Stamp  Act  again  before 
parliament.  Voices,  few  indeed,  but  loud,  were  now  raised  against  it.  General 
Conway  and  Alderman  Beckford  denied  the  right  of  taxing  America :  Colonel 
Barre,  with  others,  condemned  it  only  as  highly  inexpedient,  and  even  unjust, 
while  the  monopoly  of  her  trade  was  retained.  The  latter  gentleman  began 
a  course  of  most  energetic  and  persevering  opposition  to  the  measure.  He  re- 
pelled the  alleged  obligations  of  the  colonies  to  tha  vaathei  country,  describing 


:;*>;.,- 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  RKVOIATION 


he  i>owei 
i  at  home 
ling  with 
o  enforce 
;s,  having 
,  had  cx- 
s  altered, 
doubtedly 
pire  ;  and 
e  in  order 
a  serious 
an  expen- 
ins,  which 
ent  on  the 
id  George 
lefatigable 
drawn  by 
unable  to 
i8S  of  the 
renue,  and 


uced  a  se- 
Lmerica  to 
itamp-duty 
to  shake 
n  the  mo&t 
)te  against 
th  as  little 
le  showed 
ing  of  the 
le  measure 
[lemselves, 

)ngest  and 
r  advanced 
w-citizens. 
mcroached 
bus  reduce 
sachusetts, 
iple,  were 
opposition 
irginia  and 
r  were  for* 
ly  a  highly 
He  and 
tpelessness 

gain  before 
.  General 
a :  Colonel 
ven  unjust, 
man  began 
e.  He  re- 
describing 


\ 


Fig.  47. — Portrait  of  Colonel  Barre. 
them  as  driven  from  her  bosom  by  persecution,  and  raised  up  by  their  own  en" 
ergies  amid  many  oppressions  ;  as  a  people  at  once  noble  and  truly  loyal,  bm 
jealous  of  their  liberties,  which  they  wt^re  determined  to  vindicate.     The  act, 
nowever,  passed  in  the  Commons  by  a  majority  of  250  to  50,  and  in  the  Lords 
with  scarcely  any  opposition.     The  petitions  had  been  generally  rejected,  on 
account  of  their  denying  the  parliamentary  right  of  taxation  ;  that  of  New  York 
was  so  intemperate,  that  no  one  dared  to  present  it.     The  act  received  the  royal 
assent  on  the  22d  March,  though  it  was  not  to  take  effect  till  November  fol- 
lowing. J       1 
Virginia   had  always  been  an   aristocratic  colony,  and  hitherto  considered 
peculiarly  loyal ;  but  her  opulent  planters  now  appeared  animated  by  a  most 
daring  spirit  of  independence.     The  assembly  being  then  in  session,  Patrick 
Fenry,  at  that  time  one  of  the  most  eloquent  "men  in  America,  brought  forward 
a  series  of  resolutions  against  the  proposed  measure,  supported  by  a  speech,  in 
which  he  said,  "  Caesar  had  his  Brutus,  Charles  I.  his  Cromwell,  and  George 
in. — "  being  interrupted  by  loud  cries  of  treason,  he  added,  "  may  profit  by  theii 
example."     The  resolutions  were  modified,  and  different  versions  are  given  of 
those  finally  adopted  ;  but  they  certainly  denied,  in  the  most  unqualified  terms, 
the  right  of  taxation  claimed.     Similar  sentiments  flew  like  lightning  through 
the  other  states,  which  had  at  first  displayed  some  degree  of  apathy.     The  most 
momentous  step  was  taken  by  the  assembly  of  Massachusetts,  which,  on  the  6th 
June,  1766,  circulated  among  the  others  the  proposition  for  a  general  congress 
to  meet  at  New  "York,  and  arrange  in  concert  the  means  of  avertinjj  the  threat- 
ened evil.     Nine  colonies  responded  to  this  call,  the  others  being  prevented 
chiefly  by  the  difliculty  of  convoking  their  assemblies.     The  deputies  from  Bos- 
ton, on  their  arrival,  waited  upon  the  goveri\or,  and,  representing  their  meeting 
as  regular,  informed  him  of  its  object  and  nature.     He  warned  them  against  it 
as  quite  unconstitutional,  and  which  could  in  no  shape  be  sanctioned  ;  yet  with- 
out attempting  to  obstruct  the  proceedings.     In  a  series  of  fourteen  resolutions 
•hey  denounced  the  injustice   and  ruinous  consequences  of  their  being  taxed 
withou:  being  represented  ;  a  privilege  which,  from  their  distance,  they  declared 


:ikt,i-:.  ■ 


;18 


THE   PICTORIAL   HISTORV 


F».  48.— Portrait  of  Patrick  Henry. 
It  impossible  for  them  to  er.joy.  They  (li.l  not  intimate  any  willingness  to  raise 
a  revenue  themselves,  but  maintained  that  the  great  advantages  derived  by 
Britain  from  the  monopoly  of  American  commerce  formed  an  ample  contribution. 
In  an  address  to  the  throne,  and  petitions  to  both  houses  of  parliament,  these 
sentiments  were  forcibly  expressed  ;  vet  they  decbired  that  their  connexion  wut 
the  empire  formed  their  greatest  happiness  and  security,  aiul  that  its  harmonious 
maintenance  was  the  object  of  their  most  ardent  desire.  These  documents  were 
si«med  by  only  six  commissioners  ;  while  others  had  authority  only  to  report  to 
their  state  assemblies.  All  those  bodies,  however,  iilliinately  approved  the  pro- 
ceedings ;  and  this  first  united  act  of  the  colonies  ag.uiist  the  mother  country 
bore  certainly  a  most  portentous  aspect. 

But  the  dreaded  crisis  arose  when  the  first  cargo  of  stamped  paper  was  land- 
ed upon  the  American  shores.  Boston  was  the  centre  of  tumult.  On  the  15th  ol 
August,  the  multitude  hung  on  a  tree  the  effigy  of  Mr.  Oliver,  the  stamp-master ; 
and  the  sheriff,  when  ordered  to  take  it  down,  declared  it  was  impossible,  with- 
out hazarding  the  lives  of  those  employed.  At  dusk,  the  people  carried  the 
figure  to  the  town-house,  where  the  council  were  assembled,  and  raised  three 
loud  huzzas  in  token  of  defiance.  They  then  took  it  to  the  front  of  his  house, 
where  they  cut  off  the  head,  after  which,  notwithstanding  the  defence  made  by 
his  friends,  they  burst  open  the  door,  proclaiming  their  intention  to  seize  him  ; 
but  he  had  escaped.  The  council,  having  sent  orders  to  a  colonel  of  militia  to 
beat  an  alarm,  was  told  that  it  would  signify  nothing,  for  the  drummer  would  be 
knocked  down,  and  that  probably  every  one  belonging  to  the  regiment  was  among 
the  mob.  Next  morning,  Mr.  Oliver,  to  save  his  life,  resigned  his  office,  and 
whenever  any  one  was  heard  of  who  defended  or  was  likely  to  succeed  him,  a 
day  was  fixed  formobbinghis  house  ;  a  measure  which  was  preceded  by  a  bon- 
fire in  front  of  the  dwelling,  and  cries  of  "  liberty  and  property.  1  he  mob, 
meeting  ho  resistance,  proceeded  to  still  greater  extremities.  On  the  2bth  they 
demolished  the  residences  of  the  registrar-deputy  and  comptroller  of  the  customs ; 
after  which  they  hastened  to  that  of  the  governor,  who  not  having  the  slightest 
apprehension,  was  with  difficulty  persuaded  iiy  his  lamily  .o  quit  it.      1  he  peo 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 


11» 


igness  to  raisa 

Bs  derived  by 
le  contribution, 
rliament,  these 
;onnexion  with 
its  harmonious 
ocuments  were 
nly  to  report  to 
)roved  the  pro- 
nother  country 

aper  was  land- 
On  the  15th  ol 
stamp-master ; 
ipossible,  with- 
le  carried  the 
(1  raised  three 
t  of  his  house, 
fence  made  by 
to  seize  him ; 
el  of  militia  to 
nmer  would  be 
lent  was  among 
his  office,  and 
succeed  him,  a 
eded  by  a  bon- 
yr."  The  mob, 
11  the  26th  they 
of  the  customs ; 
ng  the  slightest 
t  it.     The  peo 


pie  rushed  in,  r.nd  immediati'ly  bi-gan  its  total  destruction,  involving  that  of  a 
fine  library,  together  with  important  manuscripts  illustrative  of  the  history  of  the 
Slate  from  its  earliest  seillement.  Next  morning,  the  street  was  found  strewed 
with  plate,  rings,  money,  and  other  valuable  a. tides.  Boston  being  now 
threatened  with  entire  destruction,  the  principal  inhabitants  repaired  to  the  gov 
ernor,  and  oflVred  to  restore  the  dominion  of  law,  on  condition  that  no  penal  pro- 
ceedings should  be  held  on  account  of  the  first  commotion,  directed  solely  againa 
tlie  stamps  ;  and  it  was  only  by  this  compact  that  order  was  restored.  In  New 
York  the  people  advanced  in  arms  to  attack  the  fort  in  which  the  obnoxious  ar- 
:icle  had  been  lodged,  and  this  post  not  being  deemed  tenable,  the  commander 
thought  it  necessary  to  deposite  the  object  of  their  resentment  in  the  hands  of 
the  magistrates.  Movements  somewhat  similar  were  organized  at  every  place 
of  landing  ;  at  the  same  time,  combinations  were  proposed  for  discontinuing  the 
use  of  all  British  manufactures. 

In  England,  meanwhile,  affairs  took  a  favorable  turn  for  the  colonists,  througli 
circumstances  wholly  independent  of  the  merits  of  the  question.  From  ceruin 
causes,  an  account  of  which  falls  not  within  our  range  of  inquiry,  ministerial  at 
fairs  were  in  a  very  unsettled  slate.  A  turn  of  the  political  wheel  brought  into 
power  the  Marquis  of  Rockingham,  a  nobleman  professing  principles  decidedly 
liberal.     The  colonial  department  was  entrusted  to  General  Conway,  who  had 


Fio.  49.— Portrait  of  Cit-neral  Conway. 

atood  forward  as  the  zealous  advocate  of  the  Americans.  His  views  were 
seconded  by  petitions  from  Jjondon,  Liverpool,  Manchester,  Birmingham,  New- 
castle, Glasgow,  and  other  great  commercial  towns,  deprecating  the  loss  of  their 
lucrative  commerce.  Yet  ministers  were  beset  with  considerable  difficulties, 
having  to  maintain  the  honor  of  the  British  government,  which  would  be  serious- 
ly compromised  and  its  authority  weakened,  by  yielding  to  a  resistance  thus 
violently  urged.  In  the  debate  on  the  address,  Mr.  Grenville  maintained  that  if 
Great  Britain  yielded,  America  was  lost ;  what  was  now  almost  rebellion 
would  become  revolution.  "  The  seditious  spirit  in  the  colonies  owed  its  birth, 
he  said,  to  '.actions  in  the  house.     Wo  were  bid  to  expect  disobedience ;  what 


I'iO 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


was  this  but  telling  tlie  Aiiiericaiis  to  resist— to  encourage  their  obstinacy  with 
the  expectation  of  support  ^"  This  argument,  however,  seems  untenable,  when 
we  consider  the  apathy  shown  in  parliament  till  the  disturbances  had  actually 
arisen  Mr.  Nugent,  "afterward  Lord  Clare,  insisted  that  the  colonies  should  at 
least  be  obliged  to  own  the  right  of  taxation,  and  to  solicit  the  repeal  of  the  late 
act  as  a  favor.  The  opposite  cause  was  most  strenuously  advocated  by  Mr.  Pitt, 
who,  after  a  long  illness,  reappeared  on  the  scene.  On  the  proposal  to  tax 
America,  so  great  he  said  had  been  his  agitation  for  the  consequences,  that  if  he 
could  have  been  carried  in  his  bed,  and  placed  on  the  floor  of  the  house,  he 
would  come  to  bear  testimony  against  it.  He  maintained  the  supremacy  of 
Great  Britain  in  all  matters  of  government  and  legislation  ;  the  greater  must  rule 
the  less  ;  but  taxes  were  a  gift  or  grant  from  the  people  ;  and  how  could  any 
assembly  give  or  grant  what  was  not  their  own.  "  I  rejoice, '  said  he,  '  thai 
America  has  resisted.  Three  millions  of  people,  so  dead  to  all  the  feelings  ot 
liberty  as  voluntarily  to  submit  to  be  slaves,  would  have  been  fit  instruments  to 
make  slaves  of  the  rest."—"  In  a  good  cause,  on  a  sound  bottom,  the  force  of 
this  country  can  crush  America  to  atoms.  But  on  this  ground  your  success 
would  be  hazardous.  America,  if  she  fell,  would  fall  like  the  strong  man  ;  she 
would  embrace  the  pillars  of  the  state,  and  pull  down  the  constitution  along  with 

The  ministers,  after  a  good  deal  of  consideration,  determined  to  bring  in  a  bill 
for  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act,  combined  with  a  declaration  of  the  power  of 
Britain  to  bind  the  colonies  in  all  cases  whatsoever.  This  pointed  expression, 
meant  to  soothe  the  opposite  party,  appeared  to  imply  the  power  of  taxation,  and 
was  indeed  so  explained  by  Conway,  though  as  one  only  to  be  exercised  in  ex- 
treme cases.  Yet  very  great  difficulty  was  found  in  carrying  it  through  the 
houses.  In  the  Commons  the  minority  was  167  to  275  ;  in  the  Lords,  71  to 
105.  Thirty-thr^e  of  the  latter  joined  in  a  protest,  stating,  that  after  the  decla- 
ration already  made,  "  such  a  submission  of  King,  Lords,  and  Commons,  in  so 
strange  and  unheard-of  a  contest,"  would  amount  to  an  entire  surrender  of  Brit- 
ish supremacy.  .  , 

The  news  of  this  repeal  was  received  in  the  colonies  with  gratitude  and  sat- 
isfaction ;  and  they  passed  over  the  declaratory  portion  of  the  act,  as  merely  in- 
tended to  save  the  honor  of  the  British  legislature.  The  assembly  of  Massachu- 
setts passed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  king,  to  whom  the  house  of  burgesses  in 
Vir^rinia  voted  the  erection  of  a  statue.  The  greatest  difficulty  respe  ^teu  com- 
pel sation  to  the  sufTerers  by  the  disturbances,  which  was  demanded  in  mild  but 
urgent  terms  by  General  Conway.  Though  not  absolutely  repelled,  great  back- 
wardness was  shown  in  fulfilling  it,  especially  in  Massachusetts,  where  com- 
plaints were  made  that  Governor  Bernard  made  the  requisition  m  a  more  per- 
emptory manner  than  his  dispatches  had  authorized.  After  long  delay  the 
measure  was  agreed  to,  but  combined  with  a  general  pardon  to  all  concerned  in 
the  riots,  a  proceeding  considered  by  the  government  as  wholly  irrelevant  and 
beyond  their  jurisdiction.  Notwithstanding  these  obstacles,  the  compensation 
was  at  length  everywhere  adjusted.  A  new  clause  in  the  Mutiny  Act,  however, 
by  which  it  was  required  that  the  troops  sent  out  should  be  furnished  not  only 
wi^h  quarters  but  with  beer,  salt,  and  vinegar,  was  represented  as  only  a  dis- 
guised form  of  taxation.  In  New  York,  where  it  came  first  into  operation,  the 
assembly  refused  to  issue  orders  for  its  enforcement. 

The  colonies  had  thus  shown  a  disposition  to  remain  attached  on  certain  terms 
to  the  mother  country,  yet  combined  with  an  extreme  and  determined  jealousy 
of  any  encroachment.  In  such  circumstances,  prudence  evidently  enjoined 
the  strictest  caution  and  a  study  to  maintain  things  as  they  were,  rather  than  at- 
temp'  novel  and  dovbtful  measures.     Unhappily,  though  there  was  no  want  of 


OF  THE  AMEHICAN  UEVOLUTION 


1U\ 


stiiiacy  with 
iiiililc,  when 
had  actually 
ies  should  at 
al  of  the  late 
by  Mr.  Pitt, 
posal  to  tax 
OS,  that  if  he 
he  house,  he 
iprcinacy  of 
ter  must  rule 
w  could  any 
lid  he,  "  thai 
e  feelings  of 
struments  to 
the  force  of 
,'our  success 
ig  man ;  she 
m  along  with 

)ring  in  a  bill 
the  power  of 
1  expression, 
taxation,  and 
srcised  in  ex- 
.  through  the 
Lords,  71  to 
ler  the  decla- 
inmons,  in  so 
snder  of  Brit- 

itude  and  sat- 
as  merely  in- 
of  Massachu- 
burgesses  in 
jspe  ;ted  com- 
sd  in  mild  but 
d,  great  back- 
,  where  com- 
ri  a  more  por- 
ing delay  the 
concerned  in 
irrelevant  and 
compensation 
Act,  however, 
ished  not  only 
as  only  a  dis- 
operation,  the 

n  certain  terms 
lined  jealousy 
ontly  enjoined 
rather  than  at- 
ras  no  want  of 


talent  among  the  statesmen  of  the  day,  ministerial  arr!iiiL'<'m<'iitsc(iiitiiiiit'dvery 
fluctuating  and  unsettled.  An  «Mitiiely  now  cabinet  came  into  iiower,  at  the  head 
of  winch  indeed  was  nominally  .\lr.  i'itt,  tlie  friend  of  America ;  but  his  hcaltli 
was  bo  broken,  tliat  he  took  no  share  whatever  in  public  measures,  and  not  be- 
ing expected  to  recover,  had  lost  Ills  wonted  influence.  The  lead  was  takeTi  l)y 
Charles  Townshend,  a  man  of  the  most  brilliant  wit  and  eloquence,  and  whose 
power  over  the  House  of  Commons  was  almost  unl)ouniled ;  yet  destitute  «i 
solid  and  statesman-like  views,  and,  according  to  Burke,  impelled  by  an  inordi- 
nate vanity  to  the  hopeless  attempt  of  pleasing  the  most  opposite  parties.  He 
soon  found  that  concession  to  America  was  in  bad  odor  among  the  majority  of 
the  house,  and  was  slung,  it  is  said,  by  taunts  from  his  old  colleague,  Mr.  Gren- 
ville,  who  reproached  him  with  cowardice  in  not  daring  to  act  on  his  own  prin- 
ciples. Under  these  impul.ies,  he  determined  to  undertake  this  perilous  measure 
in  a  diflerent  sluipe,  which  might,  it  was  hoped,  be  less  oflensive  and  more  ef- 
flcacious. 

In  May,  17f)7,  he  introduced  a  bill  imposing  a  duty  on  tea,  glass,  paper,  and 
painters'  colors,  exported  from  England  to  America.  As  the  colonists  could 
receive  these  articles  only  from  Britain,  a  tax  was  thus  inevitably  entailed,  to 
which,  after  what  had  passed,  their  submission  could  never  be  expected.  Yet 
we  have  again  to  wonder  at  the  supine  apathy  of  parliament,  and  particularly  of 
those  members  who  afterward  impugned  the  measure  with  the  greatest  ve- 
hemence. The  bill  passed  rapidly  through  both  houses,  and  on  the  29th  June 
received  the  royal  assent.  By  another  act,  resident  commissioners  of  customs 
were  established  in  the  colonies,  and  other  regulations  made  for  the  more  stric 
collection  of  the  revenue.  The  principle  of  these  arrangements  could  not  be 
objected  to  ;  yet,  as  in  fact  a  very  extensive  contraband  trade  had  long  entercL 
into  the  traffic  of  the  Americans,  they  p.essed  upon  them  with  a  new  severity, 
which  they  could  scarcely  brook. 

On  intelligence  of  these  acts  being  received  among  them,  all  the  elements  of 
opposition  were  again  in  movement.  A  number  of  publications,  particularly  Mr. 
Dickinson's  "  Letters  of  a  Pennsylvania  Farmer,"  ta\ight  the  people  to  regard 
them  as  a  decided  attack  on  their  liberties.  The  general  assembly  of  Massachu- 
setts, having  met  in  January,  1768,  drew  up  a  petition  to  the  king,  asserting  in 
decided  though  not  violent  terms  the  right  of  not  being  taxed  without  their  own 
consent.  They  took  the  more  obnoxious  measure  of  sending  a  circular,  em- 
bodying the  same  sentimenU,  to  the  asstmblies  of  the  other  colonies,  inviting 
their  co-operation.  This  last  step  excited  the  utmost  jealousy  in  the  British 
ministers,  who  instructed  Governor  Bernard  to  call  upon  them  to  rescind  their 
resolt'i;r>n,  and,  in  case  of  non-compliance,  to  dissolve  them.  The  house,  how- 
ever, in  June,  1768,  by  a  vote  of  92  to  17,  adhered  in  the  most  positive  manner 
to  these  proceedings  ;  when  their  immediate  dissolution  followed.  The  govern- 
ment sent  a  counter  circular  to  the  other  assemblies,  warning  them  to  beware  of 
the  dangerous  and  factious  conduct  of  Massachusetts.  It  failed,  however,  to 
prevent  a  cordial  concurrence  of  all  the  leading  bodies,  several  of  whom  repelled 
with  vehemence  the  attempt  to  dictate  to  them,  or  to  control  their  proceedings. 

At  Boston,  meantime,  fresh  grounds  of  irritation  continually  arose.  The  com- 
missioners of  customs  arrived,  and  one  of  their  officers  was  placed  on  board  the 
sloop  LiBKRTV,  belonging  to  John  Hancock,  a  zealous  patriot,  laden  with  wines 
from  Madeira.  The  functionary,  on  attempting  to  exercise  his  duties,  was  con- 
lined  in  the  cabin,  and  the  whole  cargo  was  landed  during  the  night.  The  ves- 
sel was  in  consequence  condemned  and  seized ;  upon  which  the  people  rose  in 
tumult,  burned  a  custom  House  boat,  and  compelled  the  commissioners  to  flee  for 
safety  on  board  the  Roinney  ship  of  war.  The  assemblies  strongly  condemned 
these  proceedings,  inviting  even  the  government  to  prosecute  ;  but  there  appeared 


132 


I'HE   PICTORIAL   HISTORY 


Kio.  00.— Portrait  of  John  Hancock. 
8u  little  prospect  of  obtaining  cither  witnesses  or  juries  who  would  convict,  tnti 
no  such  attempt  was  made.  ,  .  ,  . 

The  aaitation  excited  bv  this  event  was  beijrhtened  by  another,  which  was  in 
a  great  deKree  its  consequence.     Two  regitnents  were  ordered  from  I^^w  YorK 
to  be  quartered  at  Bo-to...     The  lirst  rtnnor  of  this  measure  raised  an  extraor.l 
nary  ferment ;  a  town  meeting  was  held,  at.d  a  committee  appointed,  ^ho  ^^^^ 
on  the  governor  to  ascertait.  the  tn.ih  of  the  report,  and  solicit  him  to  convene 
the  assetnbly.     He  did  not  deny  the  fact,  but  declared  that  he  was  unable  to 
comply  with  the  request  without  instructions  from  home.      The  people  th«"  P  «' 
ceeded  to  the  very  serious  measure  of  finding  a  substitute  for  the  assembly,  by 
inviting  the  other  towns  to  nominate  deputies,  and  thus  form  a  ;'«"^f""°"_JJ^- 
tending,  too,  the  dread  of  a  war  with  France,  they  issued  orders  that  every  in- 
habitant, according  to  an  allege.l  law  of  the  state,  should  provide  l"">f «  J^'f  * 
musket  and  the  reauisite  ammunition.     All  the  towns  except  one  ««n\^eputies 
who  assembled  in  ihe  beginning  of  September      Th«y  immediately  despatched 
three  members  to  the  governor,  with  a  petition,  disclaiming  any  "l^f.^^f^f  "T^^ 
an   authoritative  character,  but  professing  merely  to  have   met      m  thw  ^arK 
and  distressing  time  to  consult  and  advise  as  to  the  best  mcaiis  of  preserving 
peace  and  good  order;"  and  concluded  with  a  request  ^« . "^^»  '^^  ^^'^i 
He  refused  to  receive  the  message,  or  in  any  shape  recognize  the  meeting  anU 
next  day  wrote  a  leitev,  admonishin-,'  them  to  separate  without  'le'ay.      1  hey  ma 
not  immediately  comply;  yet  not  being  actuated  by  the  violent  te^pe    which 
prevailed  among  the  citizens,  they  merely  prepared  a  petition    «^^e  king  ex 
founding  their  grievances,  but  professing  the  most  decided  loyaUy  and  a  desire 
lo  cultivate  harmony  with  Great  Britain.     In  a  report  addressed  to  the  people, 
,*hile  setting  forth  the  alarming  state  of  the  country,  ^^^y  ^.''V'^'^iVnTmmiu 
submission  to  legal  authority,  and  abstinence  from  all  acts  °f  ^'°^«"^«  *"fJ7 "^ 
They  then  separated  after  a  session  of  five  days.     The  troops  now  a"'ved,  and 
as  the  council  and  inhabitants  refused  to  take  any  steps  for  ^l^^V'Tr^  «om« 
the  governor  was  obliged  to  encamp  part  on  the  common,  and  assign  to  some 
quarter,  in  the  market-hall  and  state-house  ;  positions  that  greatly  aggiavated 
»he  odium  with  which  they  were  regarded. 


-,.4&v,->..:. 


'  i- ^'S':^S^.i^."  ^i>;Kk:**- 


OF  THE  A.MKIUL-aN   in:V()IJ"ll()N. 


u 


,  convict,  tn« 

which  was  in 
itn  New  York 
an  extraordi 
d,  who  waited 
iin  to  convene 
vas  unable  to 
ople  then  p  -o- 
assembly,  by 
ention.     Pre- 
that  every  in- 
limse  "  with  a 
sent  deputies, 
ily  despatched 
la  of  assuming 
'in  this  dark 
of  preserving 
the  assembly, 
e  meeting,  and 
ay.     They  did 
temper  which 
the  king,  ex- 
,  and  a  desire 
to  the  people, 
!8tly  inculcated 
ice  and  tumult, 
iw  ariived,  and 
iccommodation, 
assign  to  some 
atly  aggiavated 


Another  imporlaiii  step  to  wliidi  tlx^  Aim'ricaiis  were  now  impelli*d  was  an 
agrfemenl  for  the  noii-iniportatioii  of  British  <;(i(i(l«.  This,  Innvcvor,  wus  ac- 
compllsVieil  with  great  diiriciilty,  the  people  beiiii;  tlierehy  (le|)rive{l  ol' nearly  all 
(lie  eonvenieiiees  am!  luxuries  of  life  ;  wliili"  the  nierch-iiits,  the  most  active  op- 
poiientft  of  the  mother  country,  were  tlireateiieil  witli  ruin.  'I'he  proposition, 
iil'ier  being  suggested,  hiy  some  time  dormant,  nor,  till  August,  1  7f)8,  was  it  fully 
lieiermined  upon,  even  in  .Ma-ssatlniselts.  Virgiiii  i  next  followed  the  example 
which  Lord  Mottttourt,  the  governor,  vainly  emit'avored  to  prevent  by  dissolving 
.he  assemljly.  In  this  measure  Washington  took  an  active  part,  and  his  con 
llilential  letters  intimate  that  he  already  contemplated  a  resort  to  arms  as  in 
evitable.     Other  colonies  were  iiKhieed  U>  join. 

In  the  beginning  of  I7(i9,  these  proct^edings  being  brought  under  the  view  of 
the  Uriiish  parliament,  excited  in  a  great  majority  the  most  decided  reprobation 
Uoih  houses  passed  a  series  of  resolutions  declaring  the  pretension  of  not  being 
hoiinil  by  the  acts  of  the  legislature  "  illegal,  unconstitutional,  and  deroga- 
tory »>!' the  rights  of  the  crown  and  parliament  of  Great  Britain."  The  circular 
letter  of  the  Massachusetts  assembly,  the  assemblage  and  proceedings  of  the 
Boston  convention,  were  characterized  as  daring  insults  on  his  majesty's  anthor- 
iiy.  and  audacious  usurpations  of  the  powers  of  goveriinumt.  In  an  address  to 
the  king,  the  lords  assured  him  of  support  in  maintaining  the  laws  in  Massachu- 
setts Bay,  and  prayed  information  respecting  all  persoM  accused  of  treason  in 
the  said  colony,  that  they  mijrht  be  dealt  with  according  to  the  act  35  Henry 
VI 11.,  which  directs  such  to  be  brought  to  England,  and  tried  under  a  special 
commission.  The  resolution  and  address,  when  brought  down  to  the  Commons, 
encountered  a  warm  opposition.  Governor  Pownall,  intimately  acquainted  with 
the  colonies,  and  actuated  seemingly  by  patriotic  motives,  strongly  advised  min- 
isters to  pause,  and  do  nothing  to  inflame  the  Americans,  whom  he  described  as 
sincerely  attached  to  the  mother  country;  yet  jealous  in  the  extreme  of  those 
liberties  for  which  their  iincestors  had  made  such  sacrifices.  Yet  ihe  resolutior 
was  passed  by  IGl  to  65. 

At  this  time,  however,  another  entire  change  took  place  m  official  arrange- 
ments, when  Lord  North  began  his  long  and  eventful  career.  He  possessed  ex- 
tensive and  varied  knowledge,  considerable  eloquence,  with  peculiar  rkill  in  de- 
bate, and  address  in  managing  the  house.  Yet  he  wanted  the  decisive  charac- 
ter of  mind  which  would  have  fitted  him  for  that  formidable  crisis  he  could  not 
avoid.  He  was  incapable  of  originating  or  of  acting  upon  any  comprehensive 
plan,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  he  was  easily  hurried  into  hasty  and  incon- 
siderate measures,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  had  not  skill  to  extricate 
himself. 

Almost  every  new  minister  had  opened  his  career  by  concession  to  the  pro- 
I'incials  ;  and  one  of  Lord  North's  temper  was  not  likely  to  form  an  exception. 
The  merchants,  too,  who  were  beginning  to  suffer  severely  by  the  non-importation 
proceedings,  petitioned  earnestly  in  favor  of  the  colonies.  The  exports,  which 
ill  1768  had  amounted  to  £2,378,000,  of  which  £132,000  wa«  in  tea,  had  fallen 
in  1769  to  £1,634,000,  the  tea  being  only  £44,000.  On  the  5th  March,  1770, 
his  lordship  proposed  to  withdraw  the  duties  recently  imposed,  as  contrary  to 
sound  commercial  principles,  and  tending  to  discourage  their  own  manufactures. 
He  retained  only  that  on  tea  as  an  assertion  of  the  Biltish  right  of  taxation. 
Even  George  Grenville  condemned  this  plan  as  inconsistent  and  imperfect, 
urging  that  one  system  or  other  ought  to  be  thoroughly  adopted ;  while  several 
members  reprobated  all  concession,  and  insisted  that  the  acts  should  be  enforced 
with  the  united  powers  of  '.he  nation.  An  amendment  by  Governor  Pownall  that 
the  tea  duty  also  shoulc  be  repealed,  was  negatived  by  204  to  142,  and  the 
Qriginal  motion  carried. 


184 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


This  measure  in  a  gn-iii  dejjree  tr.iiKiuilizcd  Aincrioa ;  though  iMnsidcrutjie 
materials  of  irritation  were  lel't.  'i  he  more  zt^'ilous  patriots  contended,  that  as 
their  objection  had  I  ten  to  the  principle,  not  the  ainoiint  of  the  taxes,  the  reten- 
tion of  any  one  was  ecjuivajent  to  a  (-ontinuuncc  of  the  whole.  The  resolution, 
also,  respecting  the  conveyance  of  odenders  to  England  for  trial,  though  nevei 
in  fact  intended  to  he  acted  upon,  excited  rinnors  and  alarms.  The  Massachu- 
setts assembly  advanced  new  and  bolder  claims,  altogether  denjing  the  powci 
of  parliament  even  to  legislate  ;  they  complained  also  of  the  laws  restraiiiiii;^ 
their  manufactures,  which  wore  doubtless  impolitir-,  but  had  hitherto  been  quietly 
submitted  to,  and  in  their  actual  state  were  of  very  small  practical  injur)'.  .\ 
new  arrangement,  making  the  salaries  of  the  governor  and  judges  independent 
of  the  assembly,  gave  rise  to  strong  remonstrances.  They  declared  that  no  ar- 
rangement would  satisfy  them  except  the  restoration  of  everything  to  the  same 
footing  as  at  the  close  of  the  late  war.  The  removal  of  their  body  to  Cambridge, 
and  its  long  prorogations,  heightened  the  discontent;  while  the  p'-^-'^nce  of  the 
military  was  a  continued  source  of  complaint  and  irritation. 

During  these  parliamentary  transactions,  an  occurrence  happened  in  Bostor, 
the  source  and  centre  of  opposition  to  British  authority,  which  greatly  exaspera- 
ted the  Americans  and  removed  the  hopes  of  reconciliation  to  a  greater  distance 
than  ever.  Frequent  quarrels  had  arisen  between  the  inhabitants  and  the  sol- 
diers, who  had  been  stationed  there  in  the  autumn  of  1 768  ;  but  the  public  peace 
was  preserved  till  the  evening  of  the  5th  of  March,  1770,  when  a  scuffle  ensued, 
near  the  barracks,  between  a  few  soldiers  and  some  young  men  of  the  town : 
the  soldiers  pursued  the  young  men  through  the  streets ;  the  townsmen  took  the 
alarm ;  the  bells  of  the  churches  were  rung ;  the  multitude  assembled  at  the 
customhouse,  and  insulted  and  threatened  the  sentinel  stationed  there.  Captain 
Preston,  the  officer  on  duty  at  the  time,  hastened  with  a  party  to  support  the 
sentinel :  he  endeavored  to  persuade  the  people  to  disperse  ;  but  his  efforts  were 
unavailing.  The  mob  became  more  riotous  than  before,  throwing  stones  and 
other  missiles  at  the  military.  At  length  a  soldier  who  had  been  struck  tired  on 
the  multitude  ;  some  of  his  comrades  soon  followed  his  example  :  four  persons 
were  killed,  and  several  wounded.  The  crowd  fled,  but  soon  collected  in 
another  street.  The  drums  beat  to  arms ;  the  troops  were  diawn  out  ;  and  the 
itmost  agitation  and  confusion  prevailed  in  the  town. 

A  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  was  held,  and  a  deputation  sent  to  the  governor, 
t  jquesting  him  to  remove  the  troops.  He  assembled  the  council,  who  were  of 
opinion  that  the  removal  of  the  troops  would  be  for  the  good  of  his  majesty's 
service.  The  troops  were  accordingly  removed  to  Castle  William.  Captain 
Preston  surrendered  himself  for  trial ;  an(.  the  soldiers  who  had  been  tinder  hia 
command  at  the  customhouse  were  taken  into  custody. 

Some  days  afterward,  the  bodies  of  those  who  had  been  killed  in  the  riot,  ac- 
companied by  a  great  concourse  of  people,  displaying  emblematical  devices  cal- 
culated to  inflame  the  popular  mind,  were  carried  in  funeral  procession  through 
the  town  to  the  place  of  sepulture.  The  colonial  newspapers  gave  an  inflamma- 
tory accour.i  of  the  transaption,  representing  it  as  an  atrocious  massacre  oC  'he 
peaceabL  inhabitants.  The  trial  of  Captain  Preston  and  his  party  was  delayed 
till  the  month  of  October,  and  Samuel  Adams  was  assigned  to  him  by  the  court 
IB  his  defender.  Before  that  time  the  irritation  of  the  public  mind  had  son..<«- 
what  abated ;  and  Captain  Preston  and  six  of  his  men,  were  acquitted  by  a 
Boston  jury.     Two  of  the  party  were  found  guilty  of  manslaughter. 

The  news  of  the  discontinuance  of  the  American  duties  reached  Boston  while 
the  minds  of  the  people  were  much  irritated  by  the  death  of  their  townsmen ; 
but  in  the  inflamed  state  of  the  public  mind  the  intelligence  had  little  effect  in 
«o«ithing  their  angry  passions,  or  cherishing  a  spirit  of  conciliation.     The  ex- 


cv.»nsidcratj»e 
-iided,  thai  a) 
les.  ihe  retell- 
he  resolution, 
though  nevei 
he  Massachu- 
iig  the  powci 
va  restraiiii.ii; 
()  been  quid  ly 
cal  injur)'.  A 
IS  indepenchMil 
•ed  that  no  ar- 
r  to  the  same 
to  Cambridge, 
roar  nee  of  tho 

lied  in  Bostor, 
latly  exaspera- 
reater  distance 
s  and  the  sol- 
le  public  peace 
scuffle  ensued, 
I  of  the  town  : 
ismen  took  the 
senibled  at  the 
here.  CapUin 
to  support  the 
his  efforts  were 
ing  stones  and 
I  struck  fired  on 
} :  four  persona 
)n  collected  in 
rn  out ;  and  the 

to  the  governor, 
il,  who  were  of 
•f  his  majesty's 
lliam.  Capuin 
I  been  under  hia 

1  in  the  riot,  ac- 
ical  devices  cal- 
icession  through 
ive  an  inflainma- 
massacre  of  'he 
irty  was  delayed 
lim  by  the  court 
mind  had  son.?- 
1  acquitted  by  a 
Iter. 

ed  Boston  while 
their  townsmen  i 
lad  little  effect  in 
iation.     The  ex- 


TUF.   PlfTOHlAI,  HISTORY 


Fio.  62.— Portrait  of  Samuel  Adams. 

asperation  and  firm  resolution  to  resist  all  parliamentary  taxation,  which  prevaiieo 
in  Massachusetts,  did  not  exist,  in  the  same  degree,  in  the  other  colonies; 
and,  therefore,  in  thsm  the  repeal  of  the  duties  had  considerable  influence  on 
the  public  mind.  In  all  the  provinces  much  inconvenience  had  been  felt  in  con- 
Bcquence  of  the  non  importation  associations,  and  many  of  the  people  were  glad 
to  be  released  from  them.  Accordingly,  they  now  held  those  associations  no 
longer  binding,  except  in  regard  to  tea  :  some,  indeed,  wished  to  interpret  them 
more  rigorously,  and  to  consider  them  obligatory  till  the  tax  on  every  article  waa 
abrogated.  But  the  general  sense  of  the  colonists  was  that  they  ceased  in  re- 
gard to  every  article  from  which  the  tax  was  removed,  and  that  now  they  op- 
erated against  tea  only.  Hence,  during  the  remainder  of  this  year  and  the 
whole  of  the  next,  the  commerce  of  Britain  with  America  was  in  a  flourishing 

condition.  ,       ,    ,  ,  •    i 

In  the  southern  and  middle  colonies,  although  the  people  were  not  entiiely 
satisfied  with  parliament,  yet,  for  the  sake  of  peace,  they  were  generally  in- 
clined to  acquiesce  in  what  it  had  done.     The  same  spirit  did  not  prevaU  in  tli» 


t^' 


IT 


Ich  prevaiiea 
ler  coloniea; 
influence  on 
n  felt  in  con- 
le  were  glad 
lOciations  no 
iterpret  them 
y  article  waa 
ceased  in  re- 
low  they  op- 
ear  and  the 
a  flourishing 

I  not  entiiely 
generally  in- 
prevail  in  th* 


U8 


TiiF  i^wrcmn.i  msToRY 


north  ;  lor  llu'r*-  thf  rolonists  wrte  indi^nniit  at  iJic  rfstrirlioiis  Iiiiil  on  th<'it 
coiniiurco  h\  tin*  »'st;il)li^liiMiut  of  an  Aniericati  board  ol  udmirally.  and  the 
nowvrB  j^raiitcd  to  \\\v  otliccrs  of  the  navy,  in  ordrr  to  fid'orci'  thi'  ri-vciiu*'  laws. 
l']u-  zi'al  (d  thi'sf  |)<'tiy  "liiciTs  w.ih  (dtcii  miirh  urcait-r  'h(ii>  ilh-ir  priuU'ru-p  . 
and  llii-y  lii;,ddy  |iroM)krd  ilic  pcoitli-  hy  iln'  vi'Xatious  ai-li\ii\  and  ui.solciicf  witli 
whiili  iln-y  cxi'cnli'd  ih'Mr  connnisMidn. 

l,i''Uti'nant  l)iidint;i<in,  connnandrr  ol'  ihv  arinrd  vcssid  (Jasper,  statnined  nlF 
Ilhodf  iHland,  was  reiinrkahly  ailivt-  in  Hear(diin;{  lor  ci.ntrahand  i»o(til.>*.  |{y 
tills  foiuhict,  and  liy  coniiu'llinjj  the  packets  tit  lower  their  folors  in  passim;  him, 
he  liad  heiiime  llii'  oltject  oi'  mmli  ill  will.  On  the  ev  iin<;  of  tin-  9lli  cd' .Innc. 
177'J,  the  Pruvidfiuf  pacixei,  with  passeiiiiers  on  liitaril,  came  np  with  coliirH 
flynif;.  and  reliisiny  to  lower  tlifjM.  the  lieiifenant  lircdasli.it  at  ht-r  ;  winch 
Inin},'  disrcjfarded.  he  nave  chase.  It  was  near  liill  tide,  and  the  packet  stood 
clostdy  in  to  the  land,  lor  the  purpose  ol'  drawim;  the  (lasjier  into  shallow  water : 
the  design  succeeded,  and  the  schooner  jfot  last  a>;ronnil  about  seven  miles  he- 
low  Providence.  The  packet  proceeded  to  llie  town,  where  tln^  resolntion  was 
Hoon  lormed  of  atiackim;  and  destroviii};  the  (ias|)er.  Accordiiii;ly,  alioiii  two  in 
the  niorninij,  a  hody  of  armed  men,  in  several  whale-boats,  hoarded  the  (Jasper, 
which  was  still  ayroimd,  forced  the  lieutenant,  who  was  wounded  in  the  scnllle, 
with  ids  crew,  aslioie.  and  burned  the  schooner  and  her  stores. 

'l"hc  Mriiish  minihiry  were  incapable  ot'  derivinj^  wisdom  from  experience  , 
for,  after  all  the  misthief  which  had  resulted  from  their  American  acts,  they  still 
indtili^'ed  the  passion  for  colon  al  le>;islation.  Hitherto  the  assembly  of  .Mas- 
sachusetts Hay  had  voted  a  .••canty  allowance  to  the  judges  and  to  law  oUicers  of 
the  crown  ;  Init  about  the  bejiinning  (d'  177v?,  in  oriler  to  render  the  judges  more 
independent,  the  crown  granted  them  liberal  salaries  out  of  the  American  reve- 
nue. The  measure  was  unseasonable  ;  for  every  act  of  government  was  looked 
on  with  distrust  and  jealousy  by  the  colonists  ;  and  in  the  irritable  state  of  the 
public  mind  at  that  time,  the  ijrant  of  salaries  to  the  judges,  being  viewed  as  the 
wages  of  sul)serviency,  created  much  alarm  and  agitation. 

The  inhal)ilants  of  Hoston  met  on  the  25th  of  October.  Mr.  Hutchinson  wan 
then  governor,  having  siiccofded  Sir  Francis  Bernard  in  1770:  to  him  theypre- 
8ente(l  a  petition,  setting  forth  the  evil  tendency  of  the  new  regulation  respecting 
the  judges,  and  the  alarm  which  it  hail  occasioned,  and  praying  him  to  call  an 
assembly.  He  refused  :  the  people,  therefore,  appointed  a  committee  to  con- 
sider what  was  to  be  done  in  that  season  of  danger,  and  to  report  to  a  subsequent 
meeting.  The  committee  prepared  a  report  more  extensive  than  any  that  had 
hitherto  been  framed,  comorehending  the  rights  of  the  colonists  as  men,  as  cit- 
izens, and  as  Christians 

The  inhabitants  of  boston  met  to  receive  the  report,  which  was  read  and 
agreed  to.  It  was  ordered  to  be  printed  and  circulated  in  the  province,  accom- 
panied by  an  exhortation  to  the  people  no  h  pger  to  doze  or  sit  in  supine  in- 
difference, while  the  hand  of  oppression  wa  i  tearing  the  choicest  fruits  from  the 
tree  of  liberty. 

When  the  assembly  met  in  January,  1773,  the  governor  imprudently  expatiated 
on  the  supreme  legislative  authority  of  the  king  and  parliament.  This  fanned 
the  dying  embers  ;  and  the  assembly,  instead  of  qualifying  the  claims  contained 
in  the  resolutions  of  the  people  of  Boston,  avowed  them  in  all  their  extent.  In 
their  address  they  openly  denied  the  right  of  parliament  to  tax  or  to  legislate  for 
them  in  any  respect  whatsoever ;  and  added  that,  if  in  any  late  instances  there 
had  been  a  submission  to  acts  of  parliament,  it  had  arisen  rather  from  want 
«»f  consideration,  and  a  reluctance  to  contend  with  the  parent  state,  than  from  a 
.ionviction  of  the  supreme  legislative  authority  of  parliament. 


'I  '111  then 
l\ .  ami  tlu' 
ciiut'  laws. 

pniiU'rice  ; 
ilciri-t^  with 


*tV  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


:illt)lit'il  "tlf 
;i)iii|s.  Hy 
i^Miiii;  'liin, 

)lll   (if  .lllllC, 

Willi  folors 

rr  ;    wliii'li 

vcl    wlooil 

iiw  w.'itcr  : 

mill's  he- 

()iiiti(>i\  was 

ilioiit  iwi)  ill 

thf  (ias[M»r, 

llif  siuffle, 

xpt'rience  , 
ts.  tlicy  still 
biy  of  Mas- 
V  orticers  of 
judges  more 
cricaii  rove- 
was  looked 
state  of  the 
ewed  as  the 

chinson  wa« 
im  they  pre- 
in  respecting 
m  to  call  an 
ttoe  to  con- 
1  subsequent 
my  tliat  had 
men,  as  cit- 

is  read  and 
ince,  accom- 
I  supine  in- 
Liits  from  the 

ly  expatiated 
This  fanned 
ns  contained 
extent.  In 
legislate  for 
tances  there 
r  from  want 
than  from  a 


CHAPTER  II. 


The  independent  spirit  which  had  so  ofteix  manifpsted  itself  in  the  assembly 
•f/d  colony  of  Massachusetts  Hay,  had  been  jiradualiy  working  its  way  into  the 
other  provinces.  Since  the  time  of  the  first  congress,  a  mutual  correspondence 
dad  been  ni.iintained  between  the  leading  men  of  the  several  colonies.  The 
measures  of  tlie  Urilish  ministry  had  tended  to  promote  atnoiig  thorn  an  approxi- 
mation of  political  sentiment,  and  to  make  them  feel  the  importance  of  union  and 
ro-oporation  in  giving  consistency  and  vigor  to  their  measures.  Hut  although 
he  colonies  were  determined  to  resist  taxation  by  a  Uritish  parliament,  yet  there 
was  not  at  this  time  among  the  great  body  of  the  people,  nor  even  among  their 
'eaders,  unless  with  perhaps  a  very  few  exceptions,  the  remotest  iniontioii  of  a 
separation  from  Great  Britain.  But  an  act  of  parliament  was  passed  this  ses- 
sion, wnich  brought  matters  to  a  crisis,  and  severed  the  American  colonies  for 
ever  Irom  the  liritish  empire. 

The   East  India  Company  enjoyed  a  monopo  ,      ■  ng  allowed  their 

dflairs  10  fall  into  disorder,  they  applied  to  parlia  n«  r  omplaining  that 

their  embarrast   lents  were  partly  owing  to  the  .        ..  rbances,  which 

had  ifluened  the  demand  for  their  tea,  and  left  nearly  1  ,,c>.k),000  ibs.  lying  in 
their  warehouses  for  want  of  a  market;  but  unhappily  the  ministry  resolved  to 
relieve  them.  Kor  this  purpose  parliament  empowered  the  company  to  export 
fhoir  tea  to  the  colonies  tree  from  all  duties  payable  in  Britain.  The  minisiry 
seem  to  have  imagined  that  the  company,  by  exporting  the  tea  tc  America  in 
their  own  ships,  would  be  enabled  to  relieve  their  overstocked  warehouses  ;  that 
the  colonial  non-impurtation  associations  would  be  rendered  iueffectiial ;  and 
that  the  tax  of  three  pence  on  the  pound  would  necessarily  be  paid  in  America. 
But  the  quarrel  had  already  proceeded  too  far  to  admit  of  the  success  of  such  a 
scheme.  The  Americans  easily  foresaw,  that  if  the  tea  were  landed  in  the 
provinces  it  would  be  impossible  to  check  the  sale  and  consumption  of  it ,  they, 
therefore  took  measures  to  prevent  the  discharging  of  their  cargoes. 

In  November  news  reached  Boston  that  three  sliips,  loaded  with  tea,  on  ac- 
count of  the  East  India  Company,  were  on  their  way  to  that  port.  The  inlbrma- 
tion  threw  the  people  into  great  commotion  ;  the  consignees  were  tlrreaiened, 
and  fled  for  safety  to  Castle  William.  On  the  arrival  of  the  tea,  a  meeting  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Boston  and  of  the  neighboring  towns  was  held,  at  which  it 
was  resolved  to  send  back  the  ships  without  permitting  them  to  discharge  their 
cargoes.  Notice  of  this  resolution  was  given  to  the  consignees  and  others  inter- 
ested in  the  ships  ;  and  the  meeting  adjourned  to  aflbrd  them  time  to  return  their 
inswer.  The  captains  wished  to  put  to  sea.  without  running  the  risk  of  losing 
their  cargoes.  But  the  governor,  who  had  always  recommended  coercive  meas- 
".ires,  found  it  easy  to  throw  difTiculties  in  the  way  of  an  amicable  arrangement. 
The  clearance  from  the  customhouse,  which  was  necessary  to  authorize  the 
sailing  of  the  ship?,  could  not  be  obtained;  besides,  the  vessels  could  not  be  al- 
lowed to  pass  Castle  William  without  the  governor's  [lerniissioii,  which  he  re 
f.i-sed  to  grant.  The  people,  however,  were  too  resolutely  bent  on  their  purpose 
'o  be  diverted  from  it  by  such  management.     On  the  Itiili  of  December  the  ad- 

0 


^^'A 


»*■,., 


130 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


jounied  town  meeting,  after  haviiiir  heard  an  acconnt  of  al  tlie  proceedings  la 
vlie  aflfair,  dissolved  itself  an. id  cries  of  •'  A  mob,  a  mob  1'"  and  in  the  evening  u 
anmber  of  armed  men,  disgnised  like  Mohawk  Indians,  boarded  the  three  lea 
ships,  and  in  al)oiit  the  space  of  two  hours,  broke  open  312  chests  of  tea,  valned 
al  18,000/.  sterling,  and  discharged  the  contents  into  the  sea  Tlie  work  was 
delif)erately  performed,  and  no  property  but  the  tea  injured. 

The  determined  spirit  of  resistance  to  the  introduction  of  this  arti.le  was  not 
confined  to  Boston,  but  manifested  itself  in  other  places  also,  although  it  was  noi 
attended  with  similar  violence.  In  most  instances  the  ships  were  obliged  to  rt-- 
turn  without  having  discharged  their  cartroi^s.  In  Charlestown,  after  much  op- 
position, the  lea  was  permitted  to  bt^  laiidel,  but  was  immediately  lodged  in  damp 
cellars,  where  it  long  rem  lined,  and  w;is  finally  s|)oiled. 

Information  of  the  destructive  proceedings  at  Boston  reached  Britain  while 
parliament  was  sitting,  ami  w  is  cominunicated  to  both  houses  by  messages  from 
the  crown.  The  people  of  ili  it  town  had  on  so  many  occasicms  shown  an  inde- 
pendent spirit,  and  had  resisted  oppression  so  often,  that  it  was  determined  to  make 
them  feel  the  weight  of  parliamentary  vengeance.  For  that  |)urpose  a  bill  was 
introduced  on  the  1  Uh  of  March,  1771,  and  received  the  royal  assent  on  the  31st 
of  the  same  montii,  prohibiiing  tlie  lading  or  uniadintt  of  any  goods  or  merchan- 
dise, e.vcepiiiig  stores  for  his  ni;ijesty"s  service,  and  provisions  and  fuel  for  the 
use  of  the  inhabitants,  at  any  place  within  the  port  of  Boston,  after  the  Isl  day 
ot  June,  until  the  king  was  satislieil  that  good  order  and  obedience  to  the  laws 
were  restored,  and  until  the  East  India  Company  tuiil  others  should  be  indemni- 
tied  for  the  loss  they  had  sustained.  Then,  and  not  till  then,  might  the  king  by 
proclamation  open  the  harbor  of  Boston.  In  order  to  enforce  obedience  to  the 
enactments  of  this  bill,  lour  ships-of-war  were  ordered  to  sail  for  the  prosciiiiei'. 
town.  General  Gage,  commander-in-chief  in  America,  was  appointed  governoi 
of  Massachusetts  Bay,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Hutchinson  ;  and  he  was  authorized 
to  grant  pardons  for  treasons  and  all  other  crimes,  and  to  remit  forfeitures  to  all 
juch  offenders  as  he  should  tliink  (it  objects  of  royal  clemency. 

But  tlie  British  ministry  were  not  satistied  with  shutting  up  the  harbor  of  Bos- 
ioa  ;  they  resolved  not  only  to  punish  the  people  for  past  oHenccs,  but  also  to 
prevent  future  misconduct.  For  these  purposes,  they  determined  to  annul  the 
charter  of  the  colony,  and  give  it  a  new  consiitiition.  They  accordingly  pro- 
cured an  act  of  parliament  which  dejirived  the  h)wer  house  of  assembly  in  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay  of  the  power  of  electing  the  council,  and  vested  that  p  ivile^  •  in 
the  crown,  authorizing  the  king,  or  the  governor  acting  in  his  name,  vO  appoi. 
judges,  magistrates,  and  sheriffs.  The  act  also  empowered  the  sheriff  to  summon 
and  return  juries,  and  prohibited  town  meetings,  unless  with  the  consent  of  the 
governor.  The  charter  was  considered  by  the  colonists  as  the  compact  between 
them  and  the  king,  and  as  the  only  bond  of  union  between  them.  They  admitted 
that  if  they  had  violated  tiie  charter  they  were  justly  liable  to  pimishmeni ;  but 
thought  neither  king  nor  iiarliameiit  had  any  right  to  annul  the  charter.  The 
attempt  to  do  so,  in  their  opinion,  broke  the  bond  of  union,  and  set  the  people 
free  from  their  allegiance.  From  that  moment  the  parties  became  independent 
of  each  other,  and  the  king  could  reign  over  the  colony  only  as  a  conquered 
province,  reduced  to  unconditional  submission. 

But  with  these  two  acts  the  ministry  were  not  satistied.  For  the  consumma- 
tion of  their  plan,  they  added  a  third,  empowering  the  governor,  with  the  advice 
of  the  council,  when  any  person  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  as  an  officer  ol 
revenue,  or  as  a  inagisirale  in  the  suppression  of  riots,  or  in  the  support  of  the 
laws  of  revenue,  or  when  any  person  acting  under  the  authority  of  a  magistrate 
for  any  of  those  purposes,  should  be  charged  with  the  crime  of  murdei  it  with 
anv  other  capital  offence  while  so  acting,  to  send  the  person  so  charged  to  anv 


F .%  iI^  ^ 'V.v'f  .■^■:  >,-,'.v'>^ ; '""j»''-^!*fl' f !  V 


.■-■'j..-4'^>^,^,i'V.ivVA^i't^'' 


eediiigs  in 

eveiiiiiif  a 

three   loa 

tea,  valued 

I  work  was 

le  was  mil 
1  it  was  iioi 
ligod  to  re- 
r  mucli  oji- 
red  ill  damp 

itaiii  while 
isages  front 
VII  an  iiide- 
led  to  make 
a  bill  was 
on  the  3 1  St 
ir  merchun- 
uel  for  the 
the  1st  day 

0  the  laws 
be  indemni- 
the  king  by 
ence  to  the 

1  j)rosciibe(". 
Bii  governoi 

mlhorized 
litures  to  all 

rbor  of  13os- 
bul  also  to 
I)  annul  the 
•dingly  pro- 
ibly  in  Mas- 
p  ivile^ '  in 
,  vO  appoi. 
T  to  summon 
iisent  of  the 
)act  between 
ley  admitted 
jhment ;  but 
arter.  The 
the  people 
independent 
I  conquered 

!  consumma- 
h  the  advice 
,n  officer  of 
ipport  of  the 
a  magistrate 
rdei  )T  with 
arged  to  aiiv 


lV  l-ns^^j^-^A 


^L.. 


,i-!.i.i-^  ■ 


132 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTO.iY 


other  colony,  or  to  Britain,  to  he  trieil,  if  it  shouhl  apjjcar  to  the  governor  and 
h"»  council  that  an  impartial  trial  could  not  be  had  in  the  province.  Those  acts 
did  not  pass  without  oppoHition.  There  were  persons  in  parliament  who  had 
iliscernment  enough  to  perceive  the  pernicious  tendency  of  such  measures  ;  hut 
ihe  plan  of  the  ministry  was  supported  by  docile  majorities  in  both  houses. 

On  the  lOih  of  May  intelligence  of  the  port  bill  reached  the  town.  Such  a 
rigorous  measure  was  wholly  unexpected,  and  excited  the  liveliest  indignation 
against  its  authors.  The  act  was  immediately  printed  on  paper  with  a  black 
border,  and  hawked  about  the  streets  as  a  bloody,  cruel,  and  inhuman  murder. 

The  inhabitants  of  Boston  were  not  long  left  in  uncertainty  and  suspense  with 
respect  to  the  sentiments  and  conduct  of  the  other  provinces  concerning  the  port 
bill.  The  rest  of  the  colonies  had  opposed  the  introduction  of  the  tea  as  firmly 
as  they,  although,  from  peculiar  circumstances,  the  proceedings  had  not  been 
equally  vigorous  at  any  other  port.  They  were  considered  as  suffering  in  the 
common  cause  ;  and  the  other  colonies  gave  them  prompt  assurances  of  co-op- 
eration and  support.  The  people  of  the  other  sea-pori  towns  of  Massachusetts 
Bay,  instead  of  taking  advantage  of  the  calamity  of  their  neighbors  in  Boston  to 
increase  their  own  commerce,  generously  offered  them  the  use  of  their  wharves 
and  warehouses  for  carrying  on  their  trade. 

Before  the  7th  of  June  the  people  of  Boston  had  received  assurances  of  the 
lively  sympathy  of  the  other  colonies,  and  of  their  active  co-operation  in  the  cause 
of  American  freedom.  Emboldened  by  such  support,  they  determined  to  act  with 
unabated  vigor.  The  assembly  met  at  Salem  on  the  7th  of  June  ;  resolved  on  a 
general  congress,  to  meet  at  Philadelphia  on  the  1st  of  September  ;  nominated 
five  of  their  members  to  attend  it ;  voted  the  sum  of  500/.  for  defraying  their  ex- 
penses ;  and  recommended  to  the  several  towns  and  districts  of  the  province  to 
raise  this  sum,  according  to  their  proportion  of  the  last  provincial  tax,  which  was 
readily  complied  with.  On  being  informed  of  these  proceedings  the  governor 
dissolved  the  assembly. 

An  active  correspondence  was  now  carried  on  between  the  leading  men 
of  the  several  provinces ;  and  corresponding  committees  were  everywhere  es- 
tablished. The  cause  of  the  inhabitants  of  Boston  daily  became  more  popular  ; 
and  the  sentiments  of  the  people  of  New  England  rapidly  gained  ground  through- 
out the  continent.  There  were  a  few  persons  not  unfriendly  to  the  clain,^  of  the 
British  government ;  but  at  town  meetings  their  efforts  were  vain,  as  they  were 
opposed  by  overwhelming  majorities. 

Throughout  the  country  the  press  was  chiefly  in  the  hands  of  persons  friendly 
to  the  people ;  and  that  powerful  engine  was  actively  employed  in  supporting 
the  cause  of  the  colonies,  and  contributed  not  a  little  to  fan  the  growing  flame. 
The  sufferings  occasioned  by  the  port  bill,  in  Boston  and  its  vicinity,  exasperated 
the  people  without  either  intimidating  or  subduing  them  ;  they  saw  that  it  was 
intended  either  to  terrify  or  compel  them  to  unconditional  submission  ;  and  they 
determined  to  repel  force  by  force.  They  seized  every  opportunity  of  providing 
themselves  with  muskets,  and  other  military  accoutrements.  Many  of  them,  in- 
deed, in  conformity  to  the  militia  laws,  were  already  in  possession  of  firearms, 
and  all  were  desirous  of  improving  themselves  in  the  use  of  them.  W-th  the 
musket  they  were  familiarly  acquainted  from  their  earliest  years ;  and  having 
been  much  exercised  in  hunting,  were  dexterous  marksmen.  Many  imagined 
that  this,  combined  with  patriotic  ardor,  would  supply  the  defects  of  military 
discipline  and  want  of  military  habits.  A  warlike  spirit  pervaded  the  provinces, 
and  the  note  of  preparation  for  battle  was  everywhere  heard.  The  parties  had 
ill  calculated  each  other's  strength;  the  colonists  had  but  a  very  tnipeifect 
knowledge  of  the  '.''rmidable  power  of  Britain,  and  the  British  government  had 


OF  THE  AMERICAN   REVOLUTION. 


133 


ovcrnor  and 
Those  acts 
lit  who  had 
lasures  ;  hut 
louses. 
'i\.  Such  a 
indignation 
ith  a  black 
in  murder, 
ispense  with 
ling  the  port 
;ea  r\s  firmly 
id  not  been 
;ring  in  the 
es  of  co-op- 
assachusetts 
ill  Boston  to 
leir  wharves 

ances  of  the 
in  the  cause 
d  to  act  with 
esolved  on  a 
;  nominated 
iiig  their  ex- 
1  province  to 
;,  which  was 
he  governor 

eading  men 
rywhere  es- 
3re  popular ; 
und  through- 
;lainf,3  of  the 
iS  they  were 

ions  friendly 
1  supporting 
wing  flame, 
exasperated 
V  that  it  was 
n ;  and  they 
of  providing 

of  them,  in- 

of  firearms, 

W-th  the 

and  having 
ny  imagined 
J  of  military 
le  provinces, 

parties  had 
■y  impel  feet 
ernment  had 


formed  no  just  estimate  of  the  unanimity  and  vigor  of  the   colonists  ;  else  both 
parties  would  have  been  much  more  cautious. 

While  the  people  were  so  active  in  their  preparations,  General  Gage  was  not 
-in  inattentive  or  idle  spectator  of  their  proceedinijs.  Apprehensii  e  of  resistance 
to  his  authority,  he  had  soon  alter  entering  on  his  government  ordered  two  regi- 
ments of  infantry  and  a  detachment  of  anillery  to  Boston.  This  body  of  troops 
was  gradually  increased  by  reinforcements  from  Ireland,  New  York,  Halifax, 
and  Quebec,  and  was  encamped  on  the  common  and  narrow  neck  which  con- 
nected Boston  with  the  main  land.  'I'he  presence  of  these  troops  alarmed  the 
townsmen,  and  greatly  increased  the  jealousy  of  the  country  people.  The  Bos 
ton  committee  did  everything  in  their  power  to  render  tiu?  situation  of  the  mil 
itary  disagreeable  ;  and  privately  counteracted  every  measure  tending  to  pro- 
mote their  comfort.  They  dissuaded  the  farmers  and  others  from  selling  them 
straw,  timber,  boards,  and  every  other  article,  except  the  provisions  necessary 
for  their  subsistence.  If  jmrchases  were  made  by  the  agents  of  government, 
care  was  taken  that  the  articles  did  not  reach  the  camp  in  safety  :  the  straw  was 
burned ;  vessels  with  bricks  were  sunk ;  carts  with  wood  were  overturned ; 
and,  in  one  way  or  other,  purchases  were  either  prevented,  or  the  commodities 
destroyed  before  they  reached  the  camp. 

A  guard  was  stationed  on  Boston  Neck,  ostensibly  with  a  view  to  prevent  the 
dest'rtion  of  the  soldiers  ;  but  it  was  considered  by  the  Americans  as  intended 
to  cut  off  the  communication  between  the  town  and  country,  and  to  compel 
the  inhabitants  of  Boston  to  submit  unconditionally  to  the  acts  of  the  British  par- 
liament. Inflamed  by  rumors  of  this  kind,  the  inhabitants  of  Worcester  county 
assembled,  and  despatched  messengers  to  Boston,  to  ascertain  what  degree  of 
credit  was  due  to  these  reports.  Those  messengers  assured  the  people  of  the 
town  that,  if  any  attempt  should  be  made  to  compel  them  to  surrender  their 
rights,  several  thousands  of  armed  men  were  ready  to  march  to  their  assistance  ; 
and  that  if  they  should  yield  up  their  liberties,  the  people  in  the  country  would 
not  consider  themselves  parties  in  their  submission,  nor  bound  by  their  deed. 

The  events  of  almost  every  day  tended  not  only  to  keep  alive  but  to  increase 
the  mutual  irritation.  The  inhabitants  of  Salem  were  invited  by  a  hand-bill  to 
meet  on  the  25th  of  August,  in  order  to  concert  measures  for  opposing  the  late 
acts  of  parliament.  On  the  24th,  the  governor  issued  a  proclamation  prohibiting 
the  meeting.  But  the  proclamation  was  disregarded :  the  people  assembled 
Troops  were  sent  to  disperse  them  ;  but  before  the  arrival  of  the  troops  the 
business  was  finished,  and  the  assembly  dissolved. 

Everything  wore  a  portentous  aspect.  The  people  were  highly  exasperated  j 
the  governor  was  irritated  and  alarmed.  Perhaps  no  human  prudence  could  have 
long  delayed  hostilities  without  abandoning  the  British  claim"  ;  but  the  conduct 
of  the  governor  hastened  matters  to  a  crisis.  He  fortified  Boston  Neck ;  and 
before  daybreak,  on  the  lat  of  September,  sent  a  party  of  soldiers  across  the 
river  Charles,  and  removed  a  quantity  of  provincial  powder  which  had  been 
'odged  in  the  arsenal  at  Charlestown,  a  small  town  opposite  Boston.  The  news 
3f  this  transaction  spread  rapidly  through  the  country  ;  and  several  thousands  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  neighboring  towns,  mostly  armed,  soon  assembled  at  Cam- 
bridge. They  proceeded  to  the  houses  of  several  gentlemen  who  had  been 
named  counsellors  under  the  late  act ;  and  those  gentlemen  found  i»  expedient 
to  resign  their  ap|)ointments,  and  to  declare  that  they  would  not  fib  uiiy  ofIic« 
under  the  obnoxious  bills.  It  was  with  difficulty  that  this  multitude  was  dis- 
suaded from  marching  to  Boston,  to  demand  the  restoration  of  the  powder,  and 
to  attack  the  troops  in  case  of  refusal. 

This  tumultuary  meeting  gave  rise  to  a  nnnor,  which  circulated  throughout 
New  En^lard  with  amaziut  rapidity,  that  the  troops  were  firing  on  the  town  jf 


_U-. 


1 34 


THE    PICTORIAL   HISTORY 


Boston  ;  UHa  ^   .tss  than  twenty-four  hours,  between  thirty  and  forty  thousand 
men  were  in  amis,  some  of  whom  marched  upward  of  twenty  miles  on  their  waj 
toward  Doston  before  they  v/ere  satisfied  that  the  rumor  was  false.     This  cir- 
cumstance gnatly  encouraged  the  most  daring  of  the  popular  leaders,  who  re- 
solved to  keep  up  and  cherish  the  public  agitation  by  holding  an  assembly  oJ 
delegates  from  the  several  towns  and  districts  of  the  county  of  Suffolk,  of  which 
Boston  is  the  capital,  to  consider  what  course  was  to  be  pursued  in  the  present 
posture  of  affairs.     This  assembly  met  on  the  9th  of  September  ;  and  after  a 
spirited  preamble,  daringly  resolved,  "  That  no  obedience  is  due  from  this  prov- 
ince  to  the  late  acts,  but  that  they  be  rejected  as  the  attempts  of  a  wicked  ad- 
miuiatration  to  enslave  America  ;  that  so  long  as  the  justices  are   appoii.'.ed  or 
liold  their  places  by  a>iy  other  tenure  than  that  which  the  charter  and  the  laws 
of  the  province  direct,  they  must  be  considered  as  unconstitutional  officers;   and, 
as  such,  no  regard  ought  to  be  i)aid  to  them  l)y  the  people  of  this  country  ;  that 
il  be  recommended  to   the   collectors   of  taxes,  and  all   other  officers  who  have 
public  monev  in  their  hands,  to  r.'tain  the  sanu-,  and   not  to  make  any  payment 
thereof   to  the   provincial    countv   treasurer,  until  the   civil  government  of  the 
province  be  placed  upon  a  constitutional  foundation,  or  it   shall  be  otherwise  or- 
dered by  the  propos -1  provincial  congress:  that  the  persons  who  have  accepted 
seals  at  the  council-board,  bv  virtue  of  a  man<l<imiis  from  the  king,  have  acted  m 
direct  violation  of  the  dutv   tin"-  owe  to  their  country :  that  this  county   do 
recommend  it  to  all  who  have  so  highly  oflended,  and  have  not  already  resigned, 
to  make  public  resignation  on  or  before  the  20th  day  of  this  month  of  September : 
that  all  reliisitis  so  to  do  shall,  after  said  day,  be  considered  as  obstinate  and  in- 
corrigible enemies  to  this  countrv  :  that  the  fortifications  begun  and  carrying  on 
at  !<oslon  Neck  give  reason  to  a'|)prehend  some  hostile   intentions   against   that 
town  :  that  the  late  act  establishing  the    Roman  catholic    religion  in  Quebec    is 
dangerous  in  an  extreme  tlegree  to  the  proiestanl  religion,  and  to  the  civil  rights 
and  liberties  of  America  :   that  whereas  our  enemies  have  flattered  themselves  that 
they  shall  make  an  easy  prev  of  this  numerous  and  brave  people,  from  an  appre- 
hension that  thev  are  unacquainted  with  military  discipline  ;  we  therefore,  lor  the 
honor  and  securhv  of  this  county  and  province,  advise  that  such  persons  be  elected 
n  each  town,  as  officers  in  the'  militia,  as  shall  be  judged  of  sufficient  capacity, 
and  who  have  evinced  themselves  the  inflexible  friends  of  the  rights  of  the  people  ; 
»nd  that  the  inhabitants  do  use  their  utmost  endeavors  to  acquaint  themselves  with 
the  art  of  war,  and  do,  for  that  purpose,  appear  under  arms  at  least  once  every 

After  passing  these  decisive  resolutions,  the  nn!eling  despatched  copies  of 
them  to  the  general  congress,  which  had  met  at  Philadelphia  on  the  £th  of  the 
month,  for  their  opinion  and  advice  on  the  subject.  The  congress  approved  ot 
tlu^  Suflblk  resolutions,  and  resolved  unanimously,  "  That  this  assembly  deeply 
feels  the  suilerings  of  th-iir  countrymen  in  the  Massachusetts  Hay,  under  the 
ojteration  of  the  late  unjust,  cruel,  and  oppressive  acts  of  the  British  parliament , 
that  they  most  thoroughly  approve  the  wisdom  and  fortitude  with  which  opposi- 
tion to  th.'se  wicked  ministerial  measures  has  hitherto  been  conducted  ;  an- 
tliey  earnestly  recommend  to  their  brethren  a  perseverance  in  the  same  firm  and 
temperate  coliduct  as  expressed  in  their  resolutions  ;  trusting  that  ilie  united  ef- 
forts of  North  America  in  their  behalf  will  carry  such  conviction  to  t..e  British 
nation  of  the  unwise,  unjust,  and  ruinous  policy  of  the  present  administration,  as 
iiuickly  to  introduce  better  men  and  wiser  measures." 

Tlie  Suflolk  resolutions  openly  set  government  at  defiance  ;  and  congress,  oy 
approving  their  resolutions,  virtually  raised  the  standard  of  rebellion,  and  set  the 
colonies  "in  hostile  array  against 'the  parent  state.  Thus,  step  by  step,  th^ 
provinces  were  brought  into  a  condition  which  a  short  tune  betore  they  wouW 


;  i  ■;  *t,  ;iV.  ^'rr'^  ■  ^'<^:  'A-i  ?3^^''^*''i'^- 


iiji^0P\.»S^^^^' 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REV(3LUTI0N. 


I3S 


y  thousanii 
1  their  wa\ 
Tliis  rir- 
rs,  who  ro- 
sembly   ol 
k,  of  which 
he  present 
uiid  after  a 
this  prov- 
wicked  ad- 
ppoir.'.ed  or 
lul  the  Laws 
ficers;  and, 
iinitry ;  that 
8  who  have 
ny  payment 
nent  of  the 
therwise  or- 
ive  accepted 
ave  acted  in 
county    do 
dy  resigned, 
September : 
inntc  and  in- 
carrying  on 
against  that 
I  Quebec    is 
e  civil  rights 
mselves  tliat 
am  an  appre- 
efore,  for  the 
ins  be  elected 
ent  capacity, 
»f  the  people  j 
imselves  with 
it  once  every 

id  copies  of 
he  £th  of  the 
approved  of 
;'nibly  deeply 
ly,  under  the 
1  parliament , 
k'hich  opposi- 
iducted  ;  anJ 
ame  firm  and 
Lhe  united  ef- 
10  ti.e  liritish 
nistrution,  as 

congres"*,  by 
1,  and  set  tho 

by  step,  th«» 
e  they  woulfl 


nave  contemplated  with  regret.      Many  of  the  colonists,  however,  still  fondly 
cherisliod  the  hope  that  the  ijuarrel  would  be  settled  without  an  appeal  to  arms. 

Between  the  imwary  and  obstinate  policy  of  his  superiors,  and  the  determined 
i)p|(osition  of  the  sul)jects  of  his  govormnc^nt.  General  Gage  was  placed  in  un- 
pleasant and  ditricult  circiunstances ;  but  to  the  committee  from  the  coiinty  of 
Suffolk,  whicli  waited  u]>on  him,  his  language  was  firm  and  temperate. 

The  people  of  New  England,  who  had  impatiently  waited  for  the  opinion  of 
toiigress  on  the  Suflolk  resolutions,  were  much  elated  with  the  approbation  of 
that  body ;  and,  considering  its  resolutions  as  a  pledge  of  support  from  the  othef 
colonies,  they  proceeded  with  increased  courage  in  the  bold  career  on  which 
they  had  entered. 

(Jeorgia  had  not  yet  joined  the  confederation  ;  but  twelve  colonies  had  sent 
delegates  to  the  general  congress,  which  consisted  of  lifty-two  members,  be- 
side the  president.  All  these  delegates  had  received  instruciions  from  their 
respective  constituents  ;  and  some  of  the  instructions  were  more  moderate  than 
others  :  but  all  of  them  authorized  the  delegates  to  concur  in  any  measures 
which  the  majority  thought  it  expedient  to  adopt.  In  the  congress  each  col- 
ony had  oidy  one  vote,  although  it  had  several  delegates  present. 

The  congress  chose  Peyton  Randolph  as  their  president,  and  Charles  Thom- 
son secretary.  The  resolution  in  approbation  of  the  Suffolk  meeting  was  the 
first  business  in  which  they  engaged.  In  a  subsequent  resolution,  passed  on 
the  8th  of  October,  they  declared,  "  That  ii'  the  late  acts  of  parliament  shall  be 
attempted  to  be  carried  into  execution  by  force,  in  such  case  all  America  ough* 
to  support  the  inhai)itants  of  Massachusetts  Bay  in  their  opposition :  that  if  it 
be  found  absolutely  necessary  to  remove  the  people  of  Boston  into  the  country, 
all  America  ought  to  contribute  toward  recompensing  them  for  the  injury  they 
may  thereby  sustain  ;  and  that  every  person  whf^  shall  accept,  or  act  under  any 
commission  or  authority  derived  from  the  act  of  parliament,  changing  the  form  of 
government  and  violating  the  charter,  ought  to  be  held  in  detestation." 

The  congress  deliberated  with  shut  doors,  and  consequently  none  of  its  pro- 
ceedings were  known,  except  such  as  it  thought  proper  to  publish  ;  but  the  pa- 
pers which  it  communicated  to  the  world  were  important,  and  had  a  powerful 
influence  on  subsequent  events.  They  published  a  declaration  of  rights  to  which 
the  colonists  of  North  America  were  entitled  by  the  innnutable  laws  of  nature, 
the  principles  of  the  British  constitution,  and  their  several  charters  or  compacts. 
As  the  first  of  these  rights,  they  mentioned  life,  liberty,  and  property ;  the  power 
to  dispose  of  any  of  which,  without  their  consent,  they  had  never  ceded  to  any 
sovereign  power  whatever.  Their  ancestors,  they  said,  at  the  time  of  their  em- 
igration, were  entitled  to  all  the  rights,  liberties,  and  immunities  of  free  and  n?t- 
ural-born  subji  ts  of  the  realm  of  England :  that  by  heir  emigration  they  had 
not  forfeited,  surrendered,  or  lost  any  of  those  righ's  ;  but  that  they  and  their 
descendants  were  entitled  to  all  of  them  which  their  circumstances  enabled  them 
to  exercise.  They  stated,  that  the  foundation  of  English  liberty,  and  of  all  free 
government,  is  a  right  in  the  people  to  participate  i>i  their  legislative  council ; 
that  as  the  cohxiists  are  not,  and  from  various  causes  can  not  be  represented  in 
the  British  parliament,  they  are  entitled  to  a  free  and  exclusive  power  of  legisla- 
tion in  their  several  provincial  legislatures,  w  here  only  their  right  of  representation 
can  be  preserved,  in  all  cases  of  taxation  and  internal  policy,  subject  only  to  the 
negative  of  their  sovereign,  in  such  manner  as  had  heretofore  been  used. 

They  asserted  their  right  to  trial  by  their  peers  of  the  vicinage  ;  pronounced 
a  standing  army,  kept  up  in  time  of  peace  in  any  colony,  without  the  consent 
of  the  legislature  of  that  colony,  illegal ;  and  maintained  that  a  legislative  coun- 
cil appointed  during  pleasure  by  the  crown,  was  unconstitutional :  they  also  en 
tered  into  a  non-importaion  agreement. 


'j^t^s^-^wv'i*^' 


.36 


THK  JMCTORIAI,  HISTORY. 


At  the  same  time  tliey  prepared  an  address  to  the  people  of  Britain,  mi  which 
tliey  warned  them  that,  if  they  snpported  Miinistersin  aticmptinsj  to  subdue  and 
I'lislave  tiie  American  colonies,  they  would  forge  chains  for  themselves  "  Take 
care,"  said  they,  "  that  you  do  not  fall  into  the  pit  preparing  for  us."  .  .  .  "But 
if  you,"  they  afterward  add,  "  are  determined  that  your  ministers  shall  wantonly 
sport  with  the  rights  of  mankind ;  if  neither  the  voice  of  justice,  the  dictates  of 
the  law,  the  principles  of  the  constitution,  nor  the  suggestions  of  humanity,  can 
restrain  your  hands  from  shedding  human  blood  in  such  an  impious  cause,  we 
must  then  tell  you  that  we  will  never  submit  to  be  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers 
of  water  for  any  ministry  or  nation  in  the  world.  Place  us  in  the  same  situation 
that  we  were  in  at  the  close  of  the  last  war,  and  our  former  harmony  will  be  re- 
stored." 

Congress  addressed  a  memorial  to  their  constituents,  replete  with  serious  and 
temperate  argument.  In  this  paper,  they  detailed  the  causes  which  had  led  to 
the  unhappy  differences,  and  labored  to  convince  the  colonists  that  their  lib- 
erty would  he  destroyed,  and  the  security  of  their  persons  and  property  annihi- 
lated, by  submissicm  to  the  claims  of  Great  Britain.  They  addressed  a  letter  to 
the  inhabitants  of  Canada  also,  and  endeavored  to  interest  them  in  their  cause. 

That  they  might  in  no  respect  be  wanting  to  themselves,  congress  prepared  a 
petition  to  the  ki'ig,  in  which  they  gave  a  succinct  statement  of  their  grievances, 
implored  his  clemency  for  protection  against  them,  and  imputed  all  their  distresses, 
dangers,  and  fears,  to  the  destructive  system  of  colonial  administration  which  had 
been  adopted  since  the  conclusion  of  the  last  war.  They  expressed  their  belief 
that,  as  his  majesty  enjoyed  the  singular  distinction  of  reigning  over  freemen,  the 
language  of  freemen  could  not  be  displeasing  to  him  "  Your  royal  indignation," 
say  they,  "  we  hope  will  rather  fall  on  those  designing  and  dangerous  men  who 
daringly  interpose  themselves  between  your  royal  person  and  your  faithful  sub- 
jects, and,  by  abusing  your  majesty's  authority,  misrepresenting  your  American 
subjects,  and  prosecuting  the  most  desperate  and  irritating  projects  of  oppression, 
have  at  length  compelled  us,  by  the  force  of  accumulated  injuries,  too  severe  to 
be  any  longer  tolerated,  to  disturb  your  majesty's  '■epose  by  our  complaints." 

The  addressee  of  congress  were  written  with  much  ability,  and  its  recora 
wndations  were  revered  and  obeyed  as  sacred  laws  throughout  the  colonies. 

The  congress  having  finished  their  labors,  and  recommended  the  appointment 
yf  a  similar  assembly,  to  meet  on  the  10th  of  May  next,  unless  a  redress  of 
^ievances  had  before  that  time  been  obtained,  dissolved  themselves  on  the  26th 
day  of  October. 

Originally  formed  of  heterogeneous  materials,  differing  in  manners,  religious 
sentiments,  and  civil  constitutions,  the  colonies,  for  a  long  time,  had  no  common 
feelings  and  interests.  They  had  even  been  alienated  from  each  other  by  local 
prejudices  and  provincial  jealousies ;  but  the  dread  of  a  common  danger  had 
gradually  overcome  all  those  principles  of  repulsion,  and  I'ited  the  twelve  prov- 
inces, fiom  New  Hampshire  to  South  Carolina,  in  one  compact  body.  They 
were  embarked  in  a  common  cause,  and  relied  on  each  other  for  mutual  support. 
By  meeting  in  congress,  the  leading  men  in  the  several  provinces  had  become 
personally  acquainted  ;  and  their  sentiments  of  reciprocal  respect  and  friendship 
strengthened  the  bonds  of  political  union.  It  was  not,  therefore,  to  bo  expected 
that  they  would  recede  from  their  claims  without  a  violent  struggle. 

The  province  of  Massachusetts  Bay  was  the  mon;  immediate  seat  of  the  quar 
rcl ;  and  the  popular  leaders  in  that  colony,  assured  of  the  co-operation  and  sup 
port  of  thj  other  provinces,  were  not  intimidated  by  the  menacing  attitude  of  the 
gu.crnor,  but  persevered  steadily  in  th»  execution  of  their  purposes. 

The  violence  of  the  people  against  all  whom  they  considered  unfriendly  to 
American  freedom  was  so  great,  that  the  commissioners  of  the  customs,  and  all 


,>!=•-. 


n,  'ii  whicb 
subdue  and 
!s  "  Take 
.  .  "But 
ill  wantunljr 
I  dictates  of 
inianity,  can 

cause,  we 
aud  drawers 
mc  situation 
T  will  be  re- 
serious  and 
had  led  to 
it  their  lib- 
lerty  annihi- 
d  a  letter  to 
heir  cause. 

prepared  a 
grievances, 
ir  distresses, 
m  which  had 
their  belief 
freemen,  the 
indignation," 
)us  men  who 
faithful  8ub- 
ur  American 
if  oppression, 
loo  severe  to 
nplaints." 
d  its  recom 
e  colonies, 
appointment 
a  redress  of 
s  on  the  26th 

lers.  religious 
d  no  common 
ither  by  local 
I  danger  had 
!  twelve  prov- 
body.  They 
utual  support, 
s  had  become 
ind  friendship 
)  be  expected 

It  of  the  quar 
ation  and  sup 
attitude  of  the 
s. 

unlriendly  tn 
stoms.  and  aU 


nK  THK   AMFHICAN   RF-VOLITION. 


137 


lie  .iftlrors  of  goviTiiin.nl.  ilfrnit-.l  il  .■xpeilieiii  to  (iiiit  Salem,  aiid  to  repair  m 
Boston  for  safety  ;  so  that  all  tin-  apparatus  of  a  -•ustoinlioiisf  was  tran.il.Tr.'d 
M  a  port  whirh  an  act  of  parliainfiil  hail  pronouiir.'.l   it   unlawful  for  any  vcss.-l 

Havinu  fonned  a  conniil  tiiuler  the  new  act  for  the  government  of  Massacliii- 
s.tts  Mav,  Cencral  (Jaiie,  l)V  its  advici-,  issued  writs  for  holding  an  assembly  in 
Salem,  on  the  fjth  of  ()etoi)er  ;  hut  was  iiidiieed  hy  suhse(|uent    t  vents  to  eoun 
lermand  the  elections  bv  a  second  preclamalioii,  and  to  suspend  the   meeting  ol 
the  members  already  r.-inrned.     The  colonists,  considering  the  sec(.nd  procla- 
mation illegal,  utterly  disregarded  it,  and  chose  their  representatives  in  obedi 
ence  to  the  first.  . 

The  assemi.lv,  to  the  number  of  ninety,  met  at  the  time  and  place  appointed 
Thev  waited  a  day  for  the  governor  to  open  the  session  ;  but  finding  he  did  not 
appe'ar,  they,  on  the  third  dav,  resolved  themselves  into  a  provincial  congress, 
and  adjourned  to  Concord,  a  town  about  twenty  miles  distant  from  Hoston.  Thev 
chos.!  John  Hancock  president  ;  and  appointed  a  committee  to  wait  on  the  gov- 
.■rnor  with  a  remonstrance,  in  which  they  apoh.gized  for  their  meeting  by  rep- 
resenting thtf  distressed  state  of  the  colonv  ;  mentioned  the  grievous  apprehen- 
sions of  the  people  ;  asserted  that  the  rigor  of  the  Hoston  port  bill  was  increased 
bv  the  manner  of  its  execution  ;  complained  of  the  late  laws,  and  ot  the  hostile 
preparations  on  Boston  Neck  ;  and  adjured  him  to  desist  immediately  irom  the 
construction  of  a  fortress  there. 

The  governor  was  at  a  loss  how  to  act.  He  could  not  recognise  the  meeting 
at  Concord  as  a  legal  assembly,  and  was  sensible  of  the  imprudence  of  increas- 
ing the  public  irritation  by  declining  to  take  nofict;  of  their  remonstrance.  He 
was  constrained  by  the  pressure  of  circumstances  to  return  an  answer :  and,  in 
that  answer  he  expressed  his  indignation  at  the  suspicion  that  the  lives,  liberty,  oi 
property  of  any  but  avowed  enemies,  were  in  danger  from  English  troops ;  and  ob- 
served," that  notwithstanding  the  hostile  dispositions  manifested  toward  them,  by 
withholding  almost  every  necessary  accommodation,  they  had  not  discovered  that 
resentment  which  such  unfriendly  conduct  was  calculated  to  provoke.  He  told 
them  that,  while  they  complained  of  alterations  in  their  charter  by  act  of  parlia- 
ment, they  were  themselves,  by  their  present  assembling,  subverting  that  char- 
ter and  acting  in  direct  violation  of  their  own  constitution :  he  therefore  warned 
them  of  their  danger,  and  called  on  them  to  desist  from  such  unconstitutional 

proceedings.  •     •  i 

But  the  warnings  of  the  governor  made  no  impression  on  the  provincial  con- 
gress On  the  17th  of  October,  that  assembly  adjourned  to  Cambridge,  a  town 
about  four  miles  from  Boston.  They  resolved  to  purchase  military  stores  ;  and 
to  enlitu  a  number  of  minute  men,  so  named  from  their  engaging  to  fake  the  field 
in  arms  on  a  minute's  warning.  But  the  greater  part  of  the  members,  although 
sufRciently  zealous  in  the  cause,  had  no  conception  of  the  expense  attending 
such  proceedings  ;  and  were  alarmed  at  the  mention  of  the  most  trivial  sums. 
They  were  in  easy  circumstances,  but  had  little  money  ;  living  on  the  produce 
of  their  farms,  their  expenditure  was  trifling,  and  they  were  utter  strangers  to 
large  accounts.  They  v.  ere  prevailed  Dn,  however,  at  first  to  vote  £750  ster- 
ling, and  afterward  to  add  i:i,500  more,  for  purchasing  warlike  stores.  By  cau- 
tion* management,  their  leaders  ultimately  induced  them  to  grant  ^16,000  ster- 
ling for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  their  liberties.  Such  was  the  sum  with 
which  they  were  to  resist  the  power  of  the  British  empire !  ,  ,•  • 

Thev  appointed  a  committee  of  safety,  with  authority  to  call  out  the  militia 
when  thought  necessary  for  the  defence  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  province  ;  and 
a  committee  of  suppUes,  to  purchase  ammunition,  ordnance,  and  other  military 
•tores.     They  electoi  Jedidiah  Pribble,  Artemas  Ward,  and  CoUmei  Pomeroy 


'  4. 


.38 


TMK   IMCTOHIAl,   HISTORY 


who  had  seen  sonie  tcrvicf  in  tlic  l.iit!  war,  goneral  KfficiTH,  uiiil  ii|)|)<>iiii»'(l  tin  in 
to  thu  ctiii-r  rr.!iiiii;iiiil  of  tlio  iiiiiiiiti'-iiit'ii  iiiiil  iiiilitiR,  if  lliry  .slioiilil  Ik-  callccl 
iiiln  actual  .•scrvirr.  On  tlic  'JTtli  of  Oi'lohiT,  the  con^rcMs  ailjoiinn'cl  to  'lit;  "JIM 
,)1  NovciiilxT. 

On  till'  approach  of  winl'T,  the  "jovcriior  onlt^rtMl  le!ii|)orary  barracks  for  the 
troops  to  l)e  erected  :  hut  lit;  found  iiiucli  ditlkidly  iii  tht;  execution  of  his  pur 
pose  ;  as.  through  the  iiilhieiice  of  the  s<  <'t-iiieii  and  coniniittt'eH,  tlie  niech'in- 
ics  Were  iinwillmi,'  or  al'raid  to  enyairf'  in  the  w'>rk,  •iiid  llic  •iierchant.s  declined 
to  exi'CUle  liis  orders. 

I'lie  inutiial  suspicions  of  the  governor  and  peo|)le  of  Massachusetts  Huy  were 
now  so  stroii;;  lliat  every  petty  incidenl  increased  the  irritation.  Ivich  party 
made  loud  professions  of  the  hest  intentions;  and  each  waiclieil  the  other  with 
a  jealous  eye.  In  a  proclaination,  the  ifovernor  forhade  the  people  to  pay  any 
regard  to  the  recpiisitioiis,  directions,  or  resolutions  of  the  provincial  con^^ress, 
and  ilenoiinced  that  hoily  as  an  ille<ral  asseinhly  ;  hut  the  proidaination  was  dis- 
regarded, and  till!  recoininendatioiis  of  congress  were  revered  and  promptly 
obeyed. 

Instead  of  being  intimidated  by  the  governor's  proclamation,  the  provincial 
congress  of  Massachusetts  Hay,  on  reassi'inbling  after  tlieir  adjournment,  pro 
ceeded  with  gr<?ater  boldness  than  ever,  and  gave  decisivt;  evidence  of  their  dt 
leriniiiaiion  to  carry  matters  to  extremities,  rather  than  submit  to  the  late  acts 
of  j)arliament.  They  resolved  to  have  lvi,000  men  in  readiness  to  act  on  any 
emergency,  and  ordered  a  fourth  ol'  the  militia  to  be  enlisted  as  minute-men,  and 
empowered  thein  to  choose  tiieir  own  olFicers.  They  despatched  agents  to  New 
Ilampshirt!,  lihode  Island,  and  ('onuecticut,  to  concert  measures  with  the  lead- 
ing men  in  ihose  provinces,  and  to  (Migage  them  to  provide  their  contiiigents  for 
an  army  of  "20,000  men.  They  resolved  to  bring  their  force  into  action,  and  to 
oppose  Cieneral  Gage  whenever  he  should  inarch  his  troops  out  of  Boston, 
with  their  baggage,  ammunition,  and  artillery  ;  and  they  applied  to  the  ministern 
of  religion,  throughout  the  province,  desiring  their  countenance  and  co-operaiion 
They  also  added  Colonels  Thomas  and  Heath  to  th<!  number  of  generals  whom 
they  liad  formerly  nominated.  Toward  the  end  of  November  the  congress  dis 
solved  itself,  having  appointed  another  to  be  held  in  the  month  of  February. 

.\larmed  by  the  proceedings  in  the  several  provinces,  the  ministry  had  issued 
a  proclamation  prohibiting  the  ex|)ortalioii  of  military  stores  from  liritain.  On 
hearing  of  this  proclamation,  the  inhabitants  of  Rhode  Island  removed  ahovo 
forty  pieces  of  cannon  from  the  batteries  about  the  harbor,  for  the  avowed  pur- 
pose of  preventing  them  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  king's  troops,  and  of 
employing  them  against  such  persons  as  might  attempt  to  infringe  their  liberties. 
.About  the  same  lime,  the  assembly  of  the  province  passed  resolutions  for  pur- 
cha-<i'H;  inns  and  military  stores  at  the  public  expense,  and  fur  carefully  training 
the  militia  in  m'litary  exercises. 

The  people  of  .\ew  Hhiiijishire,  who  had  hitherto  been  moderate,  surprised  a 
small  fort  at  Portsmouth,  and  carried  olTthe  military  stores  which  it  cuiitained. 

The  beginning  of  the  year  1775  presented  a  gloomy  prospect  to  England :  all 
the  provincial  assemblies,  except  that  of  New  York,  approved  of  the  resolutions 
of  the  general  congress  ;  and  even  the  assembly  of  New  York  joined  in  the 
complaints  oi  the  other  provinces,  although  it  wa.s  less  resolute  in  its  opposition 
to  the  obnoxious  laws.  The  passions  of  the  people  were  everywhere  roused, 
md  great  agitation  prevailed.  The  inhabitants  were  all  in  motion  ;  forming 
county  meetings  ;  entering  into  associations  ;  recommending  measures  for  car- 
rying into  execution  the  resolutions  of  the  general  congress,  and  choosii.g  com- 
mittees of  inspection  and  observation,  to  take  care  that  the  public  resolutions 
■hoiiid  be  universally  i  ttended  to,  and  to  guard  against  the  practices  of  •hose 


(IF    rHK  A.MKUIUAN    KKVOl.imON. 


ua 


|)<)iiiti>(l  tli<  I!) 
lilil  lie  ciillnl 
■il  to  tilt;  -JJil 

•iicks  lor  llif 
II  ol   Ills  |)iir 

lllt>  lllri'l|-ili- 
iiits  ileclliii'd 

■Us  Muv  Wire 
Ivich  p:irty 
le  otlipr  with 
le  U)  p.iy  iiiiy 
iiil  con^ri'ss, 
.tioii  WHS  ilis- 
iiiJ   promptly 

li'.  proviiiciii' 
iniiiu-iit,  pro 
B  of  lilt- ir  lit 
the  late  ucts 
I  iu't  on   uiiy 
lutc-incii,  ami 
gents  to  N'cw 
vith  the  Uiiiil- 
untiiigents  for 
lU'tion,  tiiid  til 
ut  o(  lioston, 
the  iniiii.st.t;r» 
I  co-opt;r!ilion 
Giierals  whom 
congress  (lis 
"ehriiary. 
ry  had  issued 
Uritain.     On 
jinoved   above 
3  avowed  pur- 
iroctps,  and  of 
their  liberties, 
tioiis  for  pur- 
efiilly  training 

;e,  surprised  a 
it  contained. 

England :  all 
he  resolutions 
joined   in   the 

its  opposition 
where  roused, 
ition  ;  forming 
sures  for  car- 
choosii.g  coin- 
lie  resolutions 
tices  of  'hosp 


•elfish  individuals  who,  I'or  iiittresied  purport  s,  might  wi.sh  to  elude  them       la 
the  midst  of  all  this  liiistle,  the  militia  were  everywhere  carefully  trained. 

Meanwhile,  the  privations  ainl  siilleriiiLrs  of  ijie  inhabitants  of  Hosicn  were 
gri<  \ous,  and  their  passions  were  highly  exeitr-d  ;  i>i:t  their  reseiiiful  spirit  was 
kept  ill  chei'k  by  tiie  presence  of  the  troops.  Sii|)plies  of  provisions  were  sent 
lliem  from  tlie  other  coloiiieN  :  these,  however,  fiirmed  but  a  partial  and  precari- 
ous resource  ;  l)\it  the  people  were  eiicourat;ed  by  the  sympathy  of  their  breth- 
ren, and  bv  the  thought  that  they  were  considered  martyrs  in  the  common  causi; 

Notwithstanding  the  portentous  asp<>ct  of  affairs,  iiiaiiv  of  thi;  colonists  still 
h.iieved  that  there  would  be  no  ap|)eal  to  arms.  Formerly  their  iion-iini)orta 
lion  associations  hail  jiroduced  the  desired  efl'eirt ;  and  ihey  llattered  themsj-lvcs 
that  similar  measures  would  ag.ain  be  followed  with  similar  results  ;  that  the 
Mritisli  ministry  would  never  come  to  an  o|)eii  rupture  with  the  best  customers 
of  their  merchants  and  manufacturers,  but  would  recede  from  their  pretensions 
when  ( onviiiced  of  the  determined  opposition  of  the  .\mericaiis.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  iJritish  ministry  expected  the  colonists  would  yield  ;  and  thus  both 
p.iiiies  [lersisted  in  their  claims  till  neither  could  easily  give  way  ;  and  in  the 
debates  on  American  affairs,  in  parliament,  the  partisans  of  the  ministry  spake 
i)f  the  colonists  in  the  most  contemptuous  manner  ;  affirmed  that  they  were  un- 
disciplined, and  incapable  of  discipline,  and  that  their  numbers  would  only  in- 
crease their  confusion  and  facilitate  their  defeat. 

.Meanwhile  the  colonists  were  not  idle.  On  the  1st  of  February,  the  provin- 
cial congress  of  Massachusetts  Bay  met  at  Cambridge,  and,  apprehensive  of  be- 
ing too  much  within  the  reach  of  Oeneral  Gage,  toward  the  middle  of  the  month 
they  again  adjourned  to  Concord.  They  thus  took  decisive  measures  for  resist- 
ing the  obnoxious  acts  of  parliament.  They  earnestly  exhorted  the  militia  in 
general,  and  the  minute-meii  in  particular,  to  be  indefatigable  in  improving  them- 
selves in  military  discipline ;  they  recommended  the  making  of  lirearins  and 
bayonets ;  and  they  dissuaded  the  people  from  supplying  the  troops  in  Boston 
with  anything  necessary  for  military  service.  The  committee  of  safety  resolved 
to  purchase  powder,  artillery,  provisions,  and  other  military  stores,  and  to  de- 
posite  them  partly  at  Worcester  and  partly  at  Concord. 

In  this  agitated  posture  of  public  afTairs,  General  Gage  conceived  it  to  be  his 
duty  to  seize  the  warlike  stores  of  the  colonists  wherever  he  could  find  them. 
With  this  view  he  ordered  a  small  detachment,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Leslie,  on  Sunday  the  2()th  of  February,  to  bring  off  some  field-pieces 
which  he  understood  the  provincial  congress  had  at  Salem.  The  party  landed 
at  Marblehead,  and  marched  to  Salem,  but  found  no  cannon  there.  Believing 
they  had  been  removed  only  a  short  time  before,  the  commanding  officer  deter- 
mined on  pursuit.  He  reached  a  small  river,  on  the  way  to  Oanvers,  over 
which  was  a  draw-bridge  ;  but,  on  his  approach,  some  people  on  the  other  side 
drew  it  up,  and  alleged  that,  as  both  the  bridge  and  road  were  private  property, 
the  soldiers  had  no  right  to  pass  that  way.  The  party  were  about  to  use  some 
boats,  but  the  owners  instantly  scuttled  them.  The  bridge  was  at  length  let 
down  ;  but  the  day  was  so  far  spent,  that  Colonel  Leslie,  deeming  it  inexpedient 
to  proceed  much  farther,  returned  to  Boston.  This  inefTectual  attempt  showed 
the  designs  of  the  governor,  and  gave  fresh  activity  to  the  vigilance  of  the  people 

The  colonies  were  now  all  in  commotion ;  and  preparations  were  everywhere 
making  for  the  general  congress,  which  was  to  assemble  in  the  month  of  May. 
New  York  was  the  only  place  which  discovered  much  backwardness  in  the 
matter  ;  and  perhaps  the  timid  and  selfish  policy  of  that  province  contributed  nt 
less  to  the  war,  than  the  audacious  turbulence  of  the  people  of  MassachusettF 
Bay ;  for  the  British  ministry  were  encouraged  by  the  irresolution  of-the  people 
of  New  York  to  persist  in  their  plan  of  coercion,  from  which  they  had  been  al- 


-*" 


iJ^  V^';^  ^•■'- 


140 


TIIR    I'IC'IOUIAL    IIISTOKY 


inosi  ilctcrrtMl  liv  hf  firm  fUiiiiulf  iiiul  iiiiit.'il  (•(•iinsflu  of  the  otlirr  cK.onie* 
liui  lio|)iiiu',  liv  ill.'  compliiuiri'  of  New  York  with  lliiir  dcsiiiiis,  lo  sfptinilc  the 
middle  mill  soutlitTii  from  the  iiortluTii  proviiioi's,  iind  so  viindy  sul)jui.'.ite  lliein 
all.  ihfv  di'lirmincd  to  pprscvire  in  strong  infJisuri's.  The  artive  exertions, 
however,  of  llie  adhereiil.s  of  the  British  ministry  were  defeated,  even  in  New 
York,  liy  the  resolute  eoiidiict  of  their  opponents  ;  and  that  province  sent  depu- 
ties to  tile  general  congress. 

Although  some  of  the  persons  most  obnoxious  lo  the  British  government  had 
withdrawn  from  Boston,  yet  many  zealous  Americans  still  retnaiiied  in  the  town, 
observed  every  motion  of  (Jeneral  (iage  with  a  vigilant  eye,  and  transmitted  to 
tlieir  friends  iii  the  country  notices  of  his  proceedings  ami  prol)able  intentions. 
The  American  stores  at  (':oncoril  had  attracted  the  general's  attention,  and  he 
determined  to  seize  them.  But,  although  he  had  been  careful  to  conceal  his  in- 
tention, yet  some  intimations  of  it  reached  the  ears  of  the  colonists,  who  took 
their  measures  accordingly. 

At  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  on  the  1 8th  of  April,  General  Gage  embarked  800 
grenadiers  and  light  infantry,  the  flower  of  his  army,  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Smith  ami  Major  Pitcairn,  on  Charles  river,  at  Boston  Neck. 
They  sailed  up  the  river,  landed  at  Phipp's  farm,  and  advanced  toward  Con- 
cord. Of  this  movement  some  of  the  friends  of  the  American  cause  got  notice, 
just  before  the  embarcation  of  the  troops  ;  and  they  instantly  despatched  messen- 
gers by  ditVerent  routes,  with  the  information  The  troops  soon  perceived,  by 
the  ringing  of  bells  and  firing  of  musketry,  that  notwithstanding  the  secrecy 
with  which  they  had  quitted  Boston,  they  had  been  discovered,  and  that  the  alarm 
was  fast  spreading  throughout  the  country.  Between  four  and  five  o'clock,  on 
.he  morning  of  the  1 9th  of  April,  the  detachment  reached  Lexington,  thirteen 
miles  from  Boston.  Here  about  seventy  of  the  militia  were  assembled,  and  were 
Btanding  near  the  road  ;  but  their  number  being  so  small  they  had  no  intention 
of  making  any  resistance  to  the  military.  Major  Pii<airn,  who  had  been  sent 
forward  with  the  light  infantry,  rode  toward  them,  calling  out,  "  Disperse,  you 
rebels  !  throw  down  your  arms  and  disperse  !"  The  order  was  not  instantly 
obeyed  :  .Major  Pitcairn  advanced  a  little  farther,  fired  his  pistol,  and  flourished 
nis  sword,  while  his  men  began  to  fire,  with  a  shout.  Several  .\mericans  fell  ; 
\h"  rest  dispersed,  but  the  firing  on  them  was  continued  ;  and,  on  observing  this, 
some  of  the  retreating  colonists  returned  the  fire.  Eight  Americans  remained 
dead  on  the  field. 

At  the  close  of  this  rencounter,  the  rest  of  the  British  detachment,  under  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Smith,  came  up ;  and  the  party,  without  further  violence,  proceed- 
ed to  Concord.  On  arriving  at  that  place,  they  found  a  body  of  inilitm  drawn 
up,  who  retreated  across  the  bridge  before  the  British  light  infanirs  The  main 
bodv  of  the  royal  troops  entered  the  Inwn,  destroyed  two  piei  «  oi  cannon  with 
their  carriages,  and  a  number  of  carnage-wheels;  threw  iWi>  p«  luds  of  balls 
into  the  river  and  wells  and  broke  in  pieces  about  sixty  to«r-Wrrels.  These 
were  all  the  stores  they  found. 

While  the  main  body  of  the  troops  was  engaged  in  th«?»e  operations,  the  light 
infantry  kept  possession  of  the  bridge,  the  Americans  biavmg  retired  to  wait  for 
leinforcements.  Reinforcements  arrived  ;  and  Mr.  iohm  Butterworth,  of  Concord, 
who  commanded  the  Americans,  ordered  his  men  to  aulvance  ;  but  ignorant  of 
what  had  happened  at  Lexington,  enjoined  them  not  m  fire,  unless  the  troops 
fired  first.  The  matter  did  not  long  remain  in  suspense.  The  Americans  ad- 
vanced ;  the  troops  fired  on  them ;  the  Americans  returned  the  fire ;  a  smart 
skirmish  ensued,  and  a  number  of  men  fell  on  each  side. 

The  troops,  hanng  accomplished  the  object  of  their  expedition,  began  to  re- 
treat. But  ^^lood  had  been  shed,  and  the  aggressors  werr  not  to  be  allowed  to 


■r   ro.onien 

(fpiiriiic  the 
lUjiiite  lliein 
}  exertions, 
en  in  New 
sent  depu- 

>rnint'ni  had 
in  the  town, 
msmittetl  to 
intentions, 
ion,  and  he 
iceal  his  in- 
s,  who  took 

iiharked  800 
command  of 
Boston  Neck, 
oward  Con- 
e  got  notice, 
bed  messen- 
erceived,  by 
the  secrecy 
lat  the  alarm 
!  o'clock,  on 
[ton,  thirteen 
ed, and  were 
no  intention 
d  been  sent 
)isperse,  you 
not  instantly 
nd  flourished 
lericans  fell  ; 
jserving  this, 
,ns  remained 

I,  under  Lieu- 

ncr  proreed- 

i;i  drawn 

The  main 

cannon  with 

■  lids  of  balls 

rels.     These 

ons,  the  light 
ed  to  wait  for 
1,  of  Concord, 
u  ignorant  of 
ss  the  troops 
Lmericans  ad- 
fire  ;  a  smart 

began  to  re- 
le  allowed  to 


,43  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

Mcano  with  inipiinitv.  The  counlry  was  aliirine.l ;  anne.l  men  crowded  in  fron. 
every  qunl!-;  'and  'ho  re.roa.ing  troop,  wore  as.aUed  wUh  an  unceasing  bn, 
irrntriilar  dischartrt!  of  nuisketrv.  ,  .  ...  ,i 

Gene  a    Gaoeliad  early  u.lortnation  thai  the  conntry  was  rtsing  in  ar.ns  ;  a. 
about  ei-vht  in  The  niurnin.^,  he  despatched  QUO  men,  under  the  co.umand  of  Lar 
P  nV,  tf  upport  his   tirst  party.     According  to   Gordon,  this  «  etachmen    le  • 
\ioJm  wi.h'their  n.nsic  playing  Yankee  Doodle,  a  tune  -^'■7"-;  ;>' t^^"'  „t 
the  inhabitants  of  the  northern  provinces  ;  an  act  which  had  no  tendency  to  sub 
due   hW  whicli  was  weil  calculated  to  irritate  the  coloniUs 

Ead  Pe  cy  met  Colonel  Smith's  vetroating  party  -tLe'^^ngton  much  exhaust 
ed     and  bei>  -  provided  with  two  pieces  of  artdlery,  he  was  able  to  keep  the 
Imed -a,  s  i.M  heck.     The  whole  party  rested  on  their  arms  till  they  took  some 
fershru  of'which  they  stoo.l  LJ in  need,     13ut  there  was  no  time   or    e- 
lav  as  the  militia  and  minute-men  were  hastening  in  from  all  quarters  to  tne 
?e'ne  of  action.     When  the  troops  resumed  their  march,  the  ^^^^^  J^  ^^^^^f 
ed  ;  an<l  Earl  Percy  continued  the  retreat  under  an  incessant  '^""l  f  ""'J '"^  "^ 
small  arms.     By  means  of  his  field-pieces  and  musketry  however,  he  was  ab  e 
Tkeep  he  assailants  at  a  respectful  distance.     The  colonists  were  under    u) 
aulKty     but  ran  across  the  fields  from  one  place  to  another  taking    her  sta- 
S,  at  Ih '  points  frotn  which  they  could  fire  on  the  troops  with  most  ^aU^tj  and 
Iffect      Ni-nbers  of  them,  becoming  weary  of  the  pursuit,  retired  from  the  con- 
S     but  their  places  were  supplied  by  new  comers,  -/^"'.fotlne  veUh 
:han  400  or  500  of  the  provincials  were  actually  engaged  at  any  one   ime, jet  the 
cm  flict  was  continued  without  intermission,  till  the  troops  m  a  state  of  great 
exhaustio'rreached  Charlestown  Neck,  with  only  two  or  three  rounds  of  car- 
fridtres  each  althouirh  thev  had  thirty-six  in  the  morning. 

On  thTs  niemorabt  dayi  the  British  had  65  men  killed,  180  wounded,  and  28 
taken  nrism  e  s  The  p  ovincials  had  50  men  killed,  34  wounded,  and  4  missing^ 
The^anpeal  to  arms  was  now  tnade  ;  and  the  struggle  about  to  ensue  was  one 
of  It  m^t  mlenls  recorded  in  the  annals  of  the  human  race  ;  not  on  ac- 
count  of  the  number  of  combatants  engaged  or  "«f  ^'P^^^  ^",J^^^^^^^^ 
above  thirty  or  forty  thousand  men  in  the  field,  and  often  not  the  halt  ot  mose 
nunLrs  •  but  because  of  the  principles  involved  in  it,  and  the  consequence, 

"  M'thlXen^'onts  interesting  contest,  the  parties  seemed  very  unequtjly 
maVched  Great  Britah,  was  the  most  formidable  state  in  the  world.  In  th« 
preceding  war  she  had  humbled  the  pride  of  the  Bourbons,  a.ui  tnumphed  ove 
Tvery  enemy  ;  her  fleets  commanded  the  ocean,  and  victory  ^o^^-^^J  .^J.  ^f  . 
standards  She  carried  on  a  lucrative  commerce  m  every  quarter  of  the  globe , 
hertfwavedintheportsof  every  nation;  and  hor  merchants  occupied  the 
i'dL;::igmshe'd  plaL  in  the  grelt  mart  of  the  worH  Her  resources  second 
inexhaustible  and  her  fame  encircled  the  earth.     On  the  other  hand,  the  Anieri 

ne^s,  and  sentiTnents  were  ditrerent.  They  were  without  -""'««;^^h;yjh"^^^^^ 
St  a  very  partially  acquainted  with  manual  exercise.  Having  been  m"eh  mn 
ployeln  hunting.  .Ln^of  thom  were  expert  marksmen  ;  ''"^^^J' ^rs Xv 
I  L  subordination,  prompt  obedience  and  patient  ^"'^"'•^^'^^"f/i^X'ed  in 
vere  entire  strangers  They  had  no  ships  but  those  which  ^ere  employed  in 
Te  peaceful  pu.suits  of  commerce.     They  had  no  exchequer,  and  but  lUtl. 


-mr 


OF  'nil':  amkrican  iu:\oij  tion. 


14,J 


(led  ill  front 
leasing  but 

arms  ;  aiiil. 

:ui(l  of  Earl 

chinent   lef' 

lerision  of 

ency  to  sub- 


to 


h  exhaust- 
keep  the 
took  some 

;ime  for  de- 
rters  to  the 

was  renew- 
illing  fire  of 

he  was  able 
re  under  no 
ig  tlieir  sta- 
st  safety  and 
i-oin  the  con- 
igii  not  more 

time,  yet  the 
jtate  of  great 
)unds  of  car- 

nded,  and  28 
md  4  missing, 
nsue  was  one 
;  not  on  ac- 
t  any  one  time 
half  of  those 
consequences 

ery  unequally 
orld.  In  the 
■iumphed  ovei 
red  over  her 

of  the  globe ; 

occupied  the 
)urce3  seemed 
nd,  the  Ameri- 
s  in  number ; 
he  borders  of 
he  Atlantic  on 
)urse  between 
i^as  their  only 

pursuits,  man- 
I ;  they  had  a 
)cen  much  em- 
nilitary  tactics, 

soldiers,  they 
3  employed  in 

and  but  littln 


.noney  ;  and  that  little,  having  been  stained  by  perseveriiisj  iii.lustry  and  iVugai 
habits,  they  were  loth  to  expend.  Their  savings  W(?re  chietly  laid  out  in  the 
improvement  of  their  farms. 

But,  unpromising  as  their  prospects  were,  the  .\nierieans  determined  not  to 
(le  wanting  to  themselves,  and  took  their  measures  with  promptitude  and  vigor. 
Intelligence  of  the  events  of  the  I9tli  of  April  spread  rapidly  over  the  i-ouiitry; 
and  the  militia,  from  every  quarter,  hastened  toward  Boston.  On  the  20th,  the 
provincial  congress  chose  General  Ward  commander  in  chief  of  the  forces  in 
Massachusetts  Bay,  and  soon  afterward  named  John  Thomas  lieutenant  general 
Both  of  those  ofTicers  had  seen  some  service  during  the  preceding  w.ir. 

Th(!  provincial  congress,  having  adjourned  Iroin  Concord  to  Watertown,  re- 
solved that  an  army  of  HO, 000  men  be  insniediately  raised,  and  wrote  to  the  col- 
onies of  New  Hampshire,  Rhode  Island,  and  Connecticut,  informing  them  of  the 
i'vents  of  the  liith,  and  earn/^stly  requesting  them  to  send  forwiird  as  many 
troops  as  they  coidd  spare,  with  provisions,  arms,  and  military  stores.  The 
Connecticut  militia  marched  to  join  their  countrymen  in  arms,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Benedict  ,\rnold  and  Israel  Putnam — as  brave  a  man  as  ever  walked 
rhe  earth,  and  who  was  known  to  his  countrymen  by  many  deeds  of  daring,  two 
111  wiiich  we  shall  here  mention. 

Putnam's  neighbors  had  long  been  annoyed  by  a  ferocious  wolf,  and  in  one 
iiisiiit  Putnam  lost  seventy  fine  sheep  and  goats,  and  many  lambs  au'!  kids  were 
wounded. 

This  wolf  at  length  became  such  an  intoleralde  nuisance,  that  .Mr.  Putnam 
entered  into  a  combination  with  five  of  his  neighbors  to  lumt  alternately  until 
itiey  could  destroy  her.  Two,  by  rotation,  were  to  be  constantly  in  pursuit.  It 
was  known,  that,  having  lost  the  toes  from  one  foot  by  a  steel  trap,  she  made 
one  track  shorter  than  the  other.  By  this  vestige,  the  pursuers  recognised,  in  a 
light  snow,  the  route  of  this  pernicious  animal.  Having  followed  her  to  Con- 
necticut river,  and  found  she  had  turned  back  in  a  direct  course  toward  Pom- 
frot,  they  immediately  returned,  and  by  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning  the  blood- 
iiounds  had  driven  her  into  a  den,  about  three  miles  distant  from  the  house  of 
Mr.  Putnam.  The  people  soon  collected  with  dogs,  guns,  straw,  fire,  and  sul- 
phur, to  attack  the  common  enemy.  With  this  apparatus,  several  unsuccessfid 
cfl()rt8  were  made  to  force  her  from  the  den.  The  hounds  came  back  badly 
wounded  and  refused  to  return.  The  smoke  of  blazing  straw  had  no  effect. 
\or  did  the  fumes  of  burnt  brimstone,  with  which  the  cavern  was  filled,  compel 
her  to  quit  the  retirement.  Wearied  with  such  fruitless  attempts  (which  had 
lirought  the  time  to  ten  o'clock  at  night),  .Mr.  Putnam  tried  once  more  to  make 
his  dog  enter,  but  in  vain.  He  proposed  to  his  negro  man  to  go  down  into  the 
caveri-  and  shoot  the  wolf;  the  nei>ro  declined  the  hazardous  service.  Then  it 
was,  that  their  master,  angry  at  the  disapjwintment,  and  declaring  that  he  was 
ashamed  to  have  a  coward  in  his  fatnily,  resolved  himself  to  destroy  the  fero- 
rious  beast,  lest  she  shouhl  escape  through  some  unknown  fissure  of  the  rock. 
His  neighbors  strongly  rentonstrated  against  the  perilous  enerprise  :  but  he 
Knowing  that  wild  animals  were  intimidated  by  fire,  and  having  provided  several 
strips  of  birch  bark,  the  only  combustible  material  which  he  could  obtain,  that 
would  afford  light  in  this  deep  and  tlarksome  cave,  prepared  for  his  descent. 
Having,  accordingly,  divested  himself  of  his  coat  and  waistcoat,  and  having  a 
long  rctpe  fastened  round  his  legs,  by  which  he  might  be  pulled  back,  at  a  con- 
certed signal,  he  entered  head  foremost,  with  the  blazing  torch  in  his  hand. 

The  aperture  of  the  den,  on  the  east  side  of  a  very  high  ledge  of  rocks,  is 
nlioiit  two  feet  square  ;  thence  it  descends  obliquely  fifteen  fe-t,  tht^i  rinming 
horizimtally  about  ten  more,  it  ascends  gradually  sixteen  feet  toward  its  termina- 
tion.    The  sides  of  this  subterraneous  cavity  are  composed  of  sniootli  and  solid 


■fc iSv^:-*4^^'*,vij>^;i!^i,i.  -  .  L-irc^.fwii^vrt.. KWw^£jrtof^T*>J™^.^W ■i>.x*i'7£'^«'*iWi'«- -^V. ..-'  ^- v 


■<prf„- 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


14S 


rocks,  whicli  seem  to  h;ive  been  diviileil  from  each  otlier  by  some  former  eartli- 
i[UHke.  The  top  and  liottom  are  also  of  stone,  and  the  entrance,  in  winter,  be- 
inj>  covered  with  ice,  is  exceedinsily  slippery.  It  is  in  no  place  high  eniniiih 
for  a  man  to  raise  himself  upright ;  nor  in  any  part  more  than  three  feet  in 
width 

Having  groped  his  passage  to  the  horizontal  part  of  the  den,  the  most  terrifv- 
ing  darkness  appeared  in  front  of  the  dim  circle  of  I'ght  afTorded  by  his  torcli 
It  was  silent  as  the  house  of  death.  None  but  m.insters  of  the  d(!sert  had  ever 
lioforo  e.xplored  this  solitary  mansion  of  horror.  He,  cautiously  proceeding  on- 
ward, came  to  the  ascent,  which  he  slowly  mounted  on  his  hands  and  knees, 
until  he  discovered  the  glaring  eyeballs  of  the  wolf,  who  was  silting  at  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  cavern.  Startled  at  tlie  sight  of  fire,  she  gnashed  her  teeth  and 
gave  a  .sullen  growl.  As  soon  as  he  had  made  the  necessary  discovery,  he 
kicked  the  rope  as  a  signal  for  drawing  him  out.  The  people  at  tlie  mouth  of 
tlie  den,  who  had  listened  with  painful  anxiety,  hearing  the  growling  o'"  the 
wolf,  and  supposing  their  friend  to  be  in  the  most  imminent  danger,  drew  him 
forth  with  such  celerity,  that  his  shirt  was  stripped  over  his  head  and  his  skin 
severely  lacerated.  .Vfter  he  had  arljiisted  his  clothes  and  loaded  his  gun  with 
nine  buckshot,  holding  a  torch  in  one  hand  and  the  musket  in  the  other,  he  de- 
scended the  second  time.  When  he  drew  nearer  than  before,  the  wolf,  assu- 
ming a  still  more  fierce  and  terrible  appearance,  howling,  rolling  her  eyes,  snap- 
ping lier  teeth,  and  dropping  her  head  between  her  legs,  was  evidently  in  the 
attitude  and  on  the  point  of  springing  at  liim.  At  this  critical  instant,  he  levelled 
and  fired  at  her  head.  Stunned  with  the  shock,  and  suffocated  with  the  .smoke, 
ne  immediately  found  himself  drawn  out  of  the  cave.  But  having  refreshed 
himself,  and  permitted  the  smoke  to  dissipate,  he  went  down  the  third  time 
Once  more  he  came  within  sight  of  the  wolf,  who  appearing  very  passive,  he 
applied  the  torch  to  her  nose  ;  and  perceiving  her  dead,  he  took  hold  of  her 
ears,  and  then  kicking  the  rope  (still  tied  round  his  legs),  the  people  above,  with 
no  small  exultation,  drasrgei.  them  both  out  together. 

In  the  winter  of  1757,  when  Col.  Haviland  was  commandant  of  Fort  Edward, 
the  barracks  a<ljoining  to  the  northwest  bastion  took  fire.  They  extended  within 
twelve  feet  of  tlie  magazine,  which  contained  three  hundred  barrels  of  powder. 
On  its  first  discovery,  the  fire  raged  with  great  violence.  The  commandant  en- 
deavored, in  vain,  by  discharging  some  pieces  of  heavy  artillery  against  the  sup- 
porters of  this  flight  of  barracks,  to  level  them  with  the  ground.  Putnam  ar- 
rived from  the  island  where  he  was  stationed,  at  the  moment  when  the  blaze  ap- 
proached that  end  which  was  contiguous  to  the  magazint..  Instantly,  a  vigorous 
attempt  was  made  to  extinguish  the  conflagration  A  way  was  opened  by  a 
postern  gate  to  the  river,  and  the  soldiers  were  employed  in  bringing  water ; 
which  he,  having  mounted  on  a  ladder  to  the  eaves  of  the  building,  received  and 
threw  upon  the  flame.  It  contintied,  notwithstanding  their  utmost  efforts,  to  gain 
upon  them.  He  stood,  e.iveloped  in  smokt;,  so  near  the  sheet  of  fire,  that  a  pair 
of  thick  blanket-mittens  were  burrit  entirelyoffhishands — he  was  supplied  with 
another  pair  dipped  in  water.  Col.  Haviland,  fearing  that  he  would  perish  in 
the  flames,  called  to  him  to  come  down.  But  he  entreated  that  he  might  be  suf- 
fered to  remain,  since  destruction  must  inevitably  ensue  if  their  exertions  should 
lie  remitted.  The  jiallant  commandant,  not  less  astonished  than  charmed  at  the 
niddness  of  his  ciuiduct,  forbade  any  more  effects  to  be  carried  out  of  the  fort, 
animated  the  men  to  redoubled  diligence,  and  exclaimed,  "  If  we  must  be  blown 
up,  we  will  all  go  together."  m  last,  when  the  barracks  were  seen  to  bo  trem- 
bling. Putnam  descended,  placed  himself  at  the  interval,  and  continued  n  ai. 
incessant  rotation  of  replenished  buckets  to  pour  water  upon  the  magazine-.  The 
uutside  planks  wen  already  consumed  bv  the  proximity  of  the  fire,  and  as  onlv 

id 


Mtf 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY. 


one  ihickncss  of  timber  iiitprvened,  trepidation  now  became  general  and  extrenne 
Putnam,  still  undaunted,  covered  with  a  cloud  of  cinders,  and  scorched  wiin  the 
intensity  of  the  heat,  nminlained  his  position  until  tlie  fire  subsided,  and  the  dan- 
ffpr  was  wholly  over  He  had  con'vnded  for  one  hour  and  a  lialf  with  that  ter- 
rible elemen;. '  His  le<fs,  his  thighs,  his  arms,  and  his  face  were  blistered  ;  and 
when  he  pulh-d  olf  his  second  pair  oi  mittens,  the  skin  from  his  hands  and  fin- 
gcrs  followed  them.  It  was  a  month  before  he  recovered.  The  commandant, 
to  whom  his  merits  had  before  endeared  him,  could  not  stifle  the  ei.otions  of 
irralitudc  due  to  the  man  who  had  been  so  instrumental  in  preserving  the  maga 
zine,  the  fort,  and  the  garrison. 

A  large  body  of  men  was  soon  collected  before  Boston ;  but  they  were  in 
great  want  of  everything  necessary  for  the  equipment  of  an  army.  They  had 
muskets,  many  of  them  old  and  rusty  ;  but  were  ill  provided  with  bayonets. 
They  had  a  few  .>ieces  of  artillerj  f.nd  a  few  mortars,  with  some  balls  anJ 
•hells  ;  but  had  oid'y  forty-one  barrels,  of  gunpowder  in  the  public  store. 

The  battle  of  Lexington  operated  like  an  electrical  shock  throughout  the 
provinces.  On  heariisg  of  that  event,  even  in  New  York,  where  the  friends  of 
the  ministry  were  more  numerous  thi  .1  in  any  other  place,  the  people  espoused 
the  cause  of  their  countrymen.  Thej  .'hut  up  the  customhouse,  and  stopped  all 
vessels  preparing  to  sail  to  Quebec,  Newfoundland,  Georgia,  or  Boston. 

The  coloniste  of  New  Jersey  took  possession  of  the  treasury  of  the  province, 
containing  about  £20,000,  to  employ  it  in  their  own  defence.  The  inhabitants 
of  Philadelphia  followed  the  example  of  New  York,  and  prevented  the  sailing  of 
vessels  to  any  port  0.1  the  continent  that  acknowledged  the  authority  or  was 
subject  to  the  power  of  Britain. 

In  six  days  intelligence  of  the  action  of  the  19th  of  April  reached  Baltimore, 
in  Maryland.  The  people  instantly  seized  the  provincial  magazine,  containing 
about  1,500  stand  of  arms,  and  stopped  all  exports  to  the  fishing  islands,  to  such 
of  the  colonies  as  had  declined  to  join  the  confederacy,  and  to  the  British  army 
and  navy  at  Boston. 

In  Virginia  a  provincial  congress  had  met  in  the  month  of  March,  which  took 
measures  for  training  the  militia,  and  vecommended  to  each  county  to  raise  a 
volunteer  company  for  the  better  defence  of  the  country.  At  Williamsburgh,  the 
capital  of  the  colony,  there  was  a  small  provincial  magazine,  containing  upward 
of  1,000  pounds  of  gunpowder.  On  the  night  of  the  20th  of  April,  Lord  Dun- 
more,  the  governor,  employed  the  captain  of  an  armed  vessel  to  convey  the 
greater  part  of  that  powder  on  board  his  ship.  Havirjg  got  notice  of  the  transac- 
tion, the  citizens  took  the  alarm,  and  the  mayor  ana  corporation  addressed  his 
lordship  on  the  subject.  He  answered  that  he  hf\d  removed  the  powder  to  a 
place  of  security  ;  and  assured  them  that  if  it  should  be  needed  in  order  to  sup- 
press an  insurrection,  he  would  restore  it  in  half  an  hour. 

When  news  of  this  aflair  reached  Hanover  county,  captain  Patrick  Henry,  at 
the  head  of  more  than  1 50  volunteers,  marched  toward  Williamsburgh,  to  demand 
restitution  of  the  powder,  and  to  protect  the  public  treasury  against  a  similar 
depredation.  When  within  about  fifteen  miles  of  the  capital,  he  was  assured 
that  the  receiver-general  would  pay  for  the  powder,  -,nd  that  the  citizens  would 
STiard  the  public  treasury  and  magazine.     The  party  then  dispersed. 

Lord  Dunmore,  greatly  alarmed  by  Henry's  march,  converted  his  palace  into 
A  garrison,  and  issued  a  proclamation  charging  the  people  with  the  design  of 
ahering  the  established  constitution.  This  was  a  new  cause  of  exasperation  ; 
and  the  people,  in  their  county  meetings,  not  only  approved  of  Mr.  Henry's  pro- 
ceedings, but  retorted  upon  the  governor,  attributing  all  the  disturbances  to  his 
misconduct,  and  declaring  that  they  only  vindicated  their  rights,  and  opposed  in 
novation.     While  the  public  mind  was  in  this  feverish  auite,  intolligeuce  of  th» 


THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


J  47 


1  extreme 

1  witii  the 
(1  the  dan- 
th  that  ter- 
tered  ;  and 
Is  and  fin- 
iiiiiundunt, 
.otions  of 
the  niaga 

ley  were  in 

Tliey  had 

biiyonets. 

balls  and 

re. 

ughout  the 
!  friends  of 
e  espoused 
stopped  all 
on. 

le  province, 

inhabitants 

e  sailing  of 

)rity  or  was 


battle  of  Lexington  arrivocl  in  Virginia.  It  greatly  increused  the  apprehensions 
and  irritiitioii  ol  tiio  people,  and  made  tlieni  far  more  active  in  arming  and  train- 
ing the  militia  and  voiuntt'cr  companieis  liian  they  had  formerly  been.  In  Vir- 
ginia, as  well  as  in  the  oilier  lolonies,  many  were  much  alarmed  ;  hut  the  ap- 
prehensions of  impending  danger  were  overfiowered  by  feelings  of  indignation. 

In  this  critical  posture  of  allairs,  Lord  Dunmore  convened  the  house  of  bur- 
gesses. His  intention  was  to  procure  their  approbation  of  Lord  North's  concil- 
iatory plan  ;  and  in  his  speech  at  the  opening  of  the  session,  he  employed  all 
his  address  to  gain  his  end.  Mul,  instead  of  complying  with  his  recommenda- 
tions, the  house  immediately  appointed  a  committee  to  imjuire  into  the  causes  of 
the  late  disturbances,  and  to  examine  the  state,  of  the  public  magazine.  For  the 
defence  of  the  magazine  Lord  Dunmore  had  ordered  sjiring  guns  to  be  pLoed  in 
it,  without  giving  any  public  warning  of  the  measure.  .Some  inconsiderate  young 
men,  unapprized  of  their  danger,  attempted  V)  lurnish  themselves  with  arms 
out  of  it ;  and  one  of  tnein  was  woumled.  This  circumstance  occasioned  a 
violent  ferment.  A  multitude  of  people  assembled,  broke  into  the  magazine,  and 
took  out  many  of  the  arms  ;  but  some  members  of  the  house  of  burgesses,  hav 
ing  repaired  to  the  spot,  by  their  remonstrances  prevailed  on  the  people  to  re 
store  them. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  a  report  was  spread  about  VVilliamsburgh,  that  Captain 
Collins,  of  'he  British  vessel  Magdalen,  was  coming  up  the  river,  with  about 
lOO  men  in  several  boats,  to  take  possession  of  the  town.  A  number  of  armed 
persons  instantly  assembled  to  defend  the  place  and  its  inhabitants  ;  but  on  leani- 
ng that  there  was  no  occasion  for  their  services,  they  quietly  dispersed.     The 


I  Baltimore, 

containing 

nds,  to  such 

British  army 

which  took 
/  to  raise  a 
nsburgh,  the 
ling  upward 

Lord  Dun- 
convey  the 
the  transac- 
dressed  his 
lowder  to  a 
rdei  to  sujK 

k  Henry,  at 
1,  to  demand 
It  a  similar 
vas  assured 
izens  would 

palace  into 
e  design  of 
asperation  ; 
ienry's  pro- 
uices  to  his 
op|)08ed  in 
;euce  of  th* 


Fio.  51— View  of  Yorktown. 


ircumstance,  however,  made  such  an  impression  on  the  governor's  mind,  that. 
A  ith  his  lady  and  family,  he  quitted  Williamsburgh,  proceeded  to  Yorktown.  and 
w  -nt  on  board  the  Fowev  man  of  war 


.48 


THH    PICTORIAL   HISTORY 


A  to.ipspon'lcnce  mov  'ook  place  l)etweeii  his  lordship  and  the  council  and 
hiirgcases.  Ho  accusf d  :  llioy  rt'fritniiiated.  They  rejected  Lord  North's  con 
oiliatory  plan  ;  hut  passed  the  necessary  bills,  and  entreated  the  govern(jr's  at- 
leiidanct  to  jjive  his  assent  to  ihein,  and  to  close  the  session.  His  lordship  de- 
clined niei'liiiii,'  them  in  the  ca|)ital,  and  they  did  not  choose  to  wait  upon  him  or 
hoard  a  man  r)t'  war.  The  correspondence  terminated  about  the  middle  of  Jul) 
when  the  Ijurgesses  were  ol)li!,'ed  to  separate,  in  order  to  attend  to  their  private 
atVairs  ;  but  they  appointed  a  convfiiition  of  delegates  to  meet  and  supply  their 
place.  In  August  this  convention  met,  and  showed  itself  animated  by  the  com- 
mon spirit  of  the  country  ;  and  before  dissolving  issued  a  declaration,  setting 
forth  the  reasons  of  its  meeting,  and  showing  the  necessity  of  immediately  put- 
ting the  country  in  a  posture  of  defence. 

Having  been  joined  by  a  number  of  loyal  colonists  and  fugitive  slaves,  Lon; 
Dnimiore  very  imprndently  l)egan  a  system  of  predatory  warfare.  By  mutual 
insults  and  injuries,  the  nuiids  of  i)oth  parties  became  much  exasperated.  At 
length  the  governor  altcMupied  to  iiurn  tln^  town  of  Hampton  ;  but  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  27th  of  October,  just  as  he  began  a  furious  cannonade  upon  it,  a  body 
of"ritlemen  from  Williamsburgh,  wli.  had  marched  all  night,  entered  the  place, 
and  iieing  joined  by  soTue  of  tiieir  couiUrymen,  took  such  an  advantageous  posi- 
tion, that,  with  their  small  arms,  they  compelled  his  lordship  to  retreat,  with  the 
loss  of  sonu!  of  his  men  and  one  of  his  vessels. 

Lord  Duinnore  now  issued  a  proclamation  declaring  the  province  under  mar- 
tial law ;  requiring  all  persons  cpaide  of  bearing  arms  to  repair  to  the  royal 
standard,  imder  the  penalty  of  being  considered  traitors  if  they  disobeyed,  and 
promising  freedom  to  all'  indented  servants,  negroes,  and  others  belonging  to 
rebels,  on  their  joining  his  majesty's  troops. 

In  consecpience  of  this  proclamation,  his  lordship  soon  foiuul  himself  at  the 
head  of  some  hundreds  of  fugitive  negroes  and  others  at  Norfolk ;  but  the  procla- 
mation highly  incensed  the  great  body  of  the  Virginians,  and  alienated  the  minds 
of  numy  who  had  hifiert-  been  friendly  to  the  British  claims.  Being  informed 
that  a  number  of  armed  colonists  were  rapidly  advancing  against  him,  Lord  Dun- 
nu)re  took  possession  of  the  great  bridge  near  Norfolk  ;  a  post  of  much  impor- 
tance for  protecting  his  friends,  and  frustrating  the  designs  of  his  enemies.  On 
arriving  nea  j  bridge,  the  Virginians,  commanded  by  Colonel  Woodford,  in 
stead  of  attempting  to  force  a  passage,  fortified  themselves  at  a  short  distance  on 
the  other  side  of  Elizalieth  river ;  and  in  this  position  the  two  parlies  faced  each 
other  for  several  days. 

The  i  npatient  impetuosity  of  Lord  Dunmore's  temper  could  ill  brook  to  be 
thus  braved  by  the  colonists,  and  he  determined  to  dislodge  them.  Accordingly, 
early  in  the  morning  of  the  8th  o''  December,  Captain  Fordyce  of  the  14th  regi- 
ment, at  the  head  of  a  rovalist  detachment,  left  Norfolk,  and  reached  the  bridge 
before  daybreak.  He  silently  replaced  the  ^danks  of  the  bridge  which  had  been 
removed.  The  road  iietween  the  bridge  and  the  American  breastwork,  which 
was  on  the  south  of  the  river,  was  a  narrow  causeway,  through  swampy  ground  ; 
and  on  the  right,  within  musket-shot  of  the  causeway,  was  a  thicket,  where  the 
Americans  had  posted  a  small  party.  At  daybreak.  Captain  Fordyce,  at  the 
head  of  his  detachment,  with  fixed  bayonets,  passed  the  bridge,  and  proceeded 
rapidly  toward  the  enemy.  But  the  Americans  were  not  unprepared  :  they 
however  allowed  the  troops  to  advance  a  good  way  without  molestation ;  and 
when  near  the  works  poured  upon  them  a  destructive  discharge  of  musketry, 
both  from  the  entrenchment  and  thicket  at  the  same  time.  Undismayed  by  this 
warm  reception,  Cajitain  Fordyce  steadily  advanced  :  but  on  the  second  fire,  he 
"ell  dead  within  a  few  yards  of  the  American  works.     His  party  instantly  re 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  HEVOLUTION. 


14» 


rouiicil  and 
North's  con 
fvenior's  at- 
lordsliip  de- 
fpoii  liini  or 
die  of  Jul} 
Iheir  i)rivate 
Jiupply  their 
}y  the  coin- 
Ition,  setting 
pdiately  j)ut- 

laves,  Lorj 
By  mutual 
orated.  At 
n  the  morii- 
>n  it,  a  body 
d  the  place, 
geous  posi- 
!at,  with  the 

under  mar- 
to  the  royal 
oheyed,  and 
iclonging  to 

imself  at  the 
It  the  procla- 
Jd  the  minds 
iiig  informed 
11,  Lord  Dun- 
nuch  impor- 
lemies.  On 
l^oodford,  in 
t  distance  on 
8  faced  each 

brook  to  be 
\ccordingly, 
le  1 4th  regi- 
d  the  bridge 
ch  had  been 
ivork,  which 
npy  ground ; 
I,  where  the 
lyce,  at  the 
d  proceeded 
Mred  :  they 
nation ;  and 
f  mvmketrv, 
lyed  l)y  this 
ond  fire,  lie 
nstantly  r«» 


treated,  sixty-two  of  their  party  being  either  killed  or  wounded,  while  llie  Amer- 
icans liad  only  one  man  sli<rlitly  hurt. 

\cM  niylil  l,ord  Dunniore  (juilted  his  post,  and  with  his  adherents  8()ui»h» 
ri'fuge  on  board  llie  jshipj)ing  in  the  river.  'I'iie  .Vmcriians  look  possession  cf 
the  town,  and  refused  to  supply  the  ships  «'iih  provisions  ;  tlierefore,  early  in 
the  mornimi  of  the  Ist  of  January,  ITTfi,  l,ord  Dunmore  l)e<;an  a  furious  cannon- 
ade on  tlie  lown,  and  sent  parties  of  sailors  aiul  marines  asiiort',  wlio  set  fire  to 
the  houses  nearest  ilie  water.  The  flaini'S  spread  rapidly  amoiii;  the  wooden 
buildings  ;  a  great  part  of  the  town  was  consumeil  ;  anil  the  .\merieaiis  them- 
selves alierward  destroyed  the  rest  of  it,  that  it  might  alVord  no  shidter  to  the 
royal  troops.  Thus  perished  Norfolk,  the  most  nourishing  commercial  town  in 
Virginia. 

\V'liile  these  oj)eratioiis  were  going  on,  Lord  Dunmore  entertained  hopes  of 
suliduing  the  colony  by  the  agency  of  an  adventurer  named  .lohn  Connelly,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania.  This  man,  having  concerted  measures  wilh  his  lord- 
ship, and  having  received  encouragement  from  Ceneral  Cage  also,  conununica- 
ted  wilh  such  militia  officers  as  he  thought  most  likely  to  enter  into  his  views, 
|)roinising  them,  in  the  niinc  of  his  lordship,  ample  rewards.  He  engaged  the 
Indians  on  the  Ohio  to  act  in  concert  with  him  ;  and  he  was  to  be  assisted  by 
die  garrisons  of  Tort  Detroit  and  Fort  (iageon  the  Illinois.  Having  collected  a 
force  on  the  western  frontier,  ho  was  to  penetrate  through  Virginia,  and  nuiet 
his  lordship  at  Alexandria,  on  the  Potomac,  in  .April.  Hut  about  ten  days  after 
taking  leave  of  Lord  Dunmore,  (.'oimellv  was  apprelienilinl ;  his  ])apers  were 
8eiz«;d  ;  the  plot  was  fully  discovered,  and  entirely  frustrated.  Lord  Dunmore 
fhiding  all  his  efforts  inefTectual,  and  i)eing  unal)le  to  remain  any  longer  on  the 
coast,  sailed  with  the  force  under  his  command  to  join  C«neral  Howe;. 

We  shall  now  glance  at  the  occurrences  in  the  southern  provinces  during 
1775. 

From  the  beginning  of  the  troubles,  the  people  of  South  Carolina  had  flattered 
themselves  that  their  non-importation  and  non-exportation  agreements  would  in- 
duce the  mother  country  to  recede  from  her  high  pretensions ;  but  the  arrival  at 
Charleston  of  a  packet  from  London,  on  the  19th  of  April,  dissipatcil  the  illusion, 
and  gave  them  a  glimpse  of  the  real  diflicuUies  of  their  situation.  In  the  midst 
of  the  gloomy  forebodings  which  depressed  their  minds,  information  of  the  skir- 
mish at  Lexington  arrived,  and  filled  them  with  grief  and  indignation.  They 
felt  their  circumstances  embarrassing  and  perilous.  Their  means  were  feeble, 
and  their  enemies  powerful ;  but  they  determined  not  to  abandon  themselves  to 
despair.  Next  night  they  seized  twelve  hundred  stand  of  arms,  with  the  ac 
coutreinents,  which  were  in  the  magazine ;  and  afterward  distributed  them 
anion)  the  men  enlisted  for  the  public  service 

The  provincial  congress  resolved  that  "  in  tneir  distressed  circumstances  they 
would  be  justified  before  God  and  ir.an  in  resisting  force  by  force."  They  sol- 
emnly engaged  to  defend  their  injured  country  against  every  foe  ;  and  to  support, 
with  tneir  lives  and  fortunes,  every  measure  which  the  provincial  or  continental 
councils  should  recimimend.  They  resolved  to  raise  two  regiments  of  infantry 
and  a  regiment  of  rangers,  and  to  put  Charleston  in  a  respectable  stale  of  de- 
fence. \Ioney  was  wanting  ;  but  bills  of  credit  were  issued,  which,  by  a  con- 
sent produced  by  the  enthusiasm  of  the  people,  served  the  immediate  purpose. 

Put  notwithstanding  the  military  enthusiasm  of  the  South  (^arolinians,  they 
were  ill  provided  with  ammunition  ;  for  never  having  contemplated  the  possibil 
itjr  of  actual  war,  they  had  made  no  provision  for  such  a  contingency.  They 
now  determined,  however,  by  the  promptitude  and  vigor  of  their  measures,  to 
compensate  their  past  inactivity.  There  were  not  above  '.^.000  pounds  of  gun- 
powder in  the  colony,  and   nc  supply  could  be  obtained  directly  from  Britain 


,50  THE    PICTORIAL    HISTORY 

Hut  .iu>  it.habitanis  of  Kiist  Klori.la  l.u.l  luvor  joined  in  the  oppositiou  to  nritish 
polity,  an.l   lhvrvi\,u-   that    i-roviiuf   still    .'..joyed  an  unfettered  commerce  with 

ihi-  mother  lom.lry.  ,  .  ,     i     .   .  •   .    .  u..  .v,« 

•ihe  committee  of  safetv  at  Charleston,  which  had  been  appointed  hj  the 
,,rovi.,c.al  congress,  anthorized  twelve  persons  to  sail  to  the  coast  of  Floridu 
wher.-  thev  surprised  a  s!;ip  with  twelve  British  soldiers  on  board  ;  took  out 
15,000  pom.ds  of  gunpowder,  for  which  they  gave  the  captain  a  bill  of  exchange  ; 
ind  although  pursued,  escaped  safely  to  Charleston  with  ihe.r  prize.  In  that 
luitaled  state  of  the  public  mind,  and  while  the  provuicial  congress  was  sitting 
I^.rd  William  Campbell,  governor  of  the  province,  arrived,  and  was  received 
wuV    the  usual  demonstrations  of  joy.     The  congress  waited  upon  him  wih  an 

a.l.bess,  in  which  they  represented  the  cause  of  ^^'''V  P'^"';^^"^'"«Vi  Sn 
ih  a  'ove  of  innovatio..  had  no  influence  on  their  councils  ;  that  they  had  been 
forced  CO  associate  and  take  up  arms,  with  no  other  view  than  that  ot  'lefendmg 
their  lives,  liberties,  and  properties  ;  and  they  entreated  his  excellency  to  assure 
his  majesty  of  their  loyal  attachment.     His  lordship  returned  a  prudent  and  con- 

"'Thrpeopre'''of  Georgia,  who  had  hitherto  declined  a  participation  in  the 
colonial  policy,  about  this  time  abandoned  their  cautious  neutraity;  espoused 
!he  causi  of  their  countrymen;  and  appointed  delegates  to  attend  the  continen- 
tal  congress.  Thus  the  whole  of  the  thirteen  provinces  were  arrayed  m  opposi- 
'ion  to  Britain. 


CHAPTER  HI. 

The  British  house  ol  commons  had  been  dissolved  in  Sepleniber,  1774  ;  ana 
a  new  parliaiucnt  met  on  the  30th  of  November  following.  On  opening  the 
session  the  kings  speech  related  chiefly  to  the  insubordination  m  the  province 
of  Mas;achusetts  Bay,  and  the  refractory  spirit  manifested  in  the  other  colonies  ; 
and  it  co..cluded  by  expressing  his  majesty's  determination  to  maintain  the  au 
ihoritv  of  the  legislature  over  every  part  of  the  British  empire. 

oUl  1st  of^February,  the  Ear'l  of  Chatham  made  another  aftempt    oward 
reconciliation  ;  and  brought  in  the  outlines  of  "  a  provisional  act  (or  settling  the 

roubles  m  America ;  and  for  asserting  the  supreme  legislative  authority  and  su- 
perintending power  of  Great  Britain  over  the  colonies."     But,  after  a  keen  dis 
cussio..,  the  bill  was  rejected,  without  being  allowed  to  lie  upon  the  table       The 
house  of  commons  refused  to  receive  any  petition  from  congress  ;  and  the  mm. 

strv,  encouraged  chiefly,  it  has  been  said,  by  the  ■f^P'^"'''''"''^"""^  °  .=!^, ;  ""' J, 
inson,  late  governor  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  resolved  to  enforce  obedience  to  the 

""""nSTrans'of  the  cabinet,  being  now  lully  formed,  soon  developed  themselves. 
Lord  North,  who  had  the  management  of  the  house  of  commons,  mo^ed  an  ad 
dress  to  the  king,  and  a  conference  with  the  lords  upon  it,  m  order  that  it  might 
be  the  jo  nt  addf^ss  of  both  houses.  The  address  thanked  the  king  for  the  com- 
mu  icaSnof  the  American  papers;  declared  that,  from  those  papers,  parlia- 
ne  Ibund  that  a  rebellion  actually  existed  within  the  province  of  Massachusetts 
Bay  that  the  parties  concerned  in  it  had  been  countenanced  and  encjuraged 
by  unlawful  coinbinations  and  engage.nents  entered  into  m  several  of  the  other 
colonies;  that  parliament  could  never  relinquish  any  part  ol  ^J «  s«;"«'g"  ^"• 
U^^ir  ty  o  er  all  the  dominions  by  law  vested  in  his  majesty  and  the  two  house* 


OF  TiiK  AMi'.incw  i{i:voi-i:'rioN. 


i»i 


I  tc  Britisli 
nerce  with 

Ued  by  the 
of  Fh»ri(Ui, 
;  look  ttui 
exchange ; 
!.  In  that 
w.is  sitting, 
s  received 
liin  with  an 
1  ;  del  hired 
y  had  been 
f  defending 
cy  to  assure 
int  and  con- 

tion  in  the 

;  espoused 

le  continen- 

d  in  opposi- 


,  1774  ;  ana 
jpening  the 
the  province 
,er  colonies ; 
itain  the  au 

■mpt  toward 
:  settling  the 
arity  and  su- 
r  a  keen  dis 
table.  The 
,nd  the  min' 
fMr.  Hutch 
lience  to  the 

i  themselves, 
noved  an  ad 

that  it  might 
;  for  the  com- 
ipers,  parlia- 
[assachuselts 
[  encouraged 

of  the  other 
sovereign  au- 
B  two  housec 


Via.  ■>8.—  Stalue  of  llie  Karl  of  Chatham. 
3t  narhament  that  they  ever  have  oeiM.  hu.I  always  will  be  ready  to  pay  atten- 
^l^and  e'a  d  to  any  'real  grievances  of  his  n.ajesty's  sub  ects  wh.ch  sha  1  tn 
a  dutiful  and  constitutional  manner  be  laid  belore  ihem  ;  but  at  the  same  time 
they  beseech  his  majesty  to  take  the  most  ellectual  measures  to  enforce  due 
obedience  o  the  authority  of  the  supreme  le,n«lature  ;  and  in  the  most  solemn 
manner  they  assured  hin.  that,  at  the  hazard  of  the.r  lives  and  fortunes  they 
would  stand  by  him  against  all  rebellious  attempts,  m  the  maintenance  of  the 
just  rights  of  his  majesty  and  of  the  two  houses  of  parliament. 
^  The  address  wore  such  a  portentous  aspect,  that  it  roused  all  the  energies  of 
the  members  in  opposition,  and  appalled  some  even  of  the  staunch  adherents  of 
the  ministry;  but  it  was  carried  by  large  majorities,  and,  on  being  presented. 

met  with  a  gracious  reception.  .  , 

Every  motion  in  parliament  tending  toward   conciliation  was  rejected  ;  and 
every  petition  against  the  coercive  acts  was  disregarded       lo  one  from  the  c  ty 
of  London,  presented  to  tho  king  on  the  10th  of  April,  his  majesty  rephed."  It 
is  with  the  mmost  astonishment  that  1  find  any  of  my  subjects  capable  of  encour- 
aging  the  rebellious  disposition  which  unhappily  exists  in  my  colonies  in  North 
America      Having  entire  confidence  in  the  wisdom  of  my  parliament,  the  great 
council  of  the  nation.  I  will  steadily  pursue  the  measures  which  they  have  rec- 
ommended for  the  support  of  the  constitutional  rights  of  Great  Britain,  and  Uie 
roSr of  the  commercial  rights  of  my  kingdom."     A  few  petitions  in    avor 
Sf  the  ministerial  policy  were  presented;  but  as  it  was  easy  to  procure  them 
from  dependants  and  expectants,  at  any  time,  and  in  any  cause,  they  made  no 
iZessfon  on  the  public  mind,  and  afforded  but  a  feeble  support  to  the  measures 

"'^The'^adlnrnistration  having  exhausted  their  legislative  sagacity  on  America, 
be<r.  •,  without  delay  to  display  their  military  talents  against  the  colonists. 
T,Twanl  cue  end  of  April  they  despatched  Generals  Howe,  Clmtor.,  and   Bur- 


'52 


TMK  PICTOIUAL  III.SIOUV 


^oviu  to  that  cnimtrv,  and  soon  after  wan!  (inlored  a  numhor  of  transports  «o  Mil 
froni  Cork  with  remloripnitMiis  to  (i«'n(riil  (liiiji!. 

Near  tl)<>  onil  of  May  the  session  ol  parliament  was  closed  ;  and  on  tlie  even- 
ing of  tlif  V.'tst|i  of  tiiiit  niontli,  I'aptain  Derliv,  wlio  had  been  despateheil  by  tliu 
colony  ol  Massaclniselis  Hay  with  an  a^'couiit  of  the  tivenis  of  iho  I'Jtli  of  April, 
to  their  ai;ent  in  IiOn<lnn.  reached  that  city,  ituniors  of  the  tidin^^s  winch  he 
l)roiii{iit  soon  circidaied  ;  but  it  was  not  tdl  the  0th  of  .Inne,  when  ('aptain  Brown 
of  tht!  Silkey.  who  had  sailcil  fonr  days  before  (Japtain  Oi^rby,  with  despatches 
Iroin  (leneral  (iai^e  to  noverinnent,  arrived  in  Lomlon,  that  the  pnbliit  was  lully 
apprizi-d  ol  the  transactions  ni  the  vicinity  of  [iostoii.  l-"or  those  events  the  pub- 
lic mind  w.is  in  some  ineasiire  prepared  by  what  had  lu'fore  happened  ;  and  con- 
8ei|nenlly,  allhon^h  the  news  was  unpleasant,  yi-t  they  excited  no  great  surprise. 
'ill!'  ministry  prepared  for  active  operations,  and  ordered  six  regiments  of  infan- 
try to  hold  tlieniselves  ill  readiness  to  embark  for  America. 

The  blood  shed  at  I.exinjiton  loosened  the  social  bond  in  America,  and  almost 
dissolved  the  fabric  of  society,  'i'lie  great  mass  of  the  jieople  was  held  together 
by  tilt  ir  coniinon  apprehensions  and  common  indii!nation  ;  but  in  the  provinces 
of  New  Kngland.  the  people,  for  a  short  time,  acknowledged  no  supreme  au- 
thority to  direct  their  operations.  Kvery  man  considered  himself  his  own  mas- 
ter, and  at  liberty  to  pursue  such  measures  as  he  deemed  most  expedient  for  the 
common  welfare.  Accordingly,  a  gentleman  of  the  name  of  Ethan  Allen,  a 
militia  colonel,  in  conjunction  with  some  others,  planned  an  expedition  against 
'i'iconderoga. 

The  iin|)ortance  of  securing  the  communication  between  Quebec  and  the  re- 
fractory colonies,  by  the  I^akes  Champlain  and  George,  had  been  early  perceived 
by  the  Americans;  and  Colonel  Alien,  without  waiting  for  instructions  from  any 
constituted  authority,  successfully  executed  the  project.  At  the  head  of  a  hi  dy 
of  armed  men  lie  hastened  toward  Ticonderoga,  and  on  his  march  was  joined  l)y 
Arnold,  already  raised  to  the  rank  of  colonel.  The  commandant  of  Ticonderoga, 
without  the  least  sus|)icion  of  his  post  being  in  danger,  was  somewhat  remiss  in 
the  discipline  of  his  small  garrison  ;  and,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  lOlh  of 
May,  he  was  surprised  in  bed  by  Allen,  Arnold,  and  a  few  of  their  followers, 
who  had  entered  the  fort,  and  made  themselves  masters  of  it  without  any  loss, 
t^n  being  ordered  to  surrender,  he  asked  by  what  authority  he  was  reipiired  to 
do  so.  Allen  replied,  "  I  demand  it  in  the  name  of  the  great  Jehovah,  and  of 
the  I  oiitinental  congress."  The  congress,  however,  knew  nothing  of  the  matter  ; 
nor  was  its  first  meeting  held  till  some  hours  after  th*?  transaction.  The  same 
party  made  themselves  masters  of  Crown  Point,  situated  near  the  southern  ex- 
tremity of  Lake  Champlain,  as  Ticonderoga  is  at  the  north  end  of  Lake  (Jeorge. 
They  also  surprised  ^kenesborough,  and  a  sloop  of  war,  the  only  vessel  belong- 
ing to  the  royal  navy  on  those  lakes.  In  this  way,  Allen  and  Arnold  took  up- 
ward of  100  pieces  of  cannon,  and  some  ammunition  and  stores;  and  gained 
possession  of  Lake  Champlain. 

On  the  lOih  of  May  the  general  congress  met,  when  deputies  from  twelve 
colonies  appeared.  Georgia  had  not  yet  joined  the  confederacy.  The  congress 
chose  Pey'.on  Randolph  president ;  but  that  gentleman  being  obliged  to  return 
home  on  the  24th  of  the  month,  they  placed  John  Hancock  in  the  chair.  On 
receiving  information  of  the  enterprise  and  success  of  Allen  and  Arnold,  the 
congress  earn*istly  recommended  i*  to  the  people  of  New  York  and  Albany  to 
remove  the  cannon  and  stores  of  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga  to  the  south  ot 
Lake  George  ;  and  to  take  an  exact  inventory  of  them,  that  they  might  be  re- 
turned on  the  restoration  of  the  former  harmony  between  Britain  and  the  colonies. 

'I'hey  agreed  to  present  a  second  petition  to  the  king,  similar  to  that  of  thn 
preceding  year ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  resolved  that  the  colonies  be  put  in  a  pos 


OK  TlIK  AMKKICAX   UKVOMITION. 


15^ 


xirts  U)  !»ai( 

1    lll(!    t'V'fll. 

Iu'd  by  iliu 

nil  (>r  April, 
winch  hf, 

it.'iiii  Brown 
ilt's]);iicln'8 
•  was  liilly 
lis  the  pub- 
;  iiiid  con- 

at  surprine. 

Ills  of  inran- 

iiiil  almost 
('1(1  together 
»■  provinces 
iipreme  au- 
18  own  inas- 
lieiit  for  the 
lan  Allen,  a 
itioii  against 

;  and  the  re- 
ly porceived 
Ions  from  any 
|aJ  of  a  1)1  dy 
as  joined  by 
ricoiideroga, 
hat  remiss  in 
the    lOlh  of 
;ir  followers, 
lOut  any  loss, 
i  reijuired  to 
lovah,  and  of 
f  the  matter  ; 
The  same 
southern  ex- 
Lake  (Jeorge. 
essel  belong- 
lold  took  up- 
;  and  gained 

from  twelve 
The  congress 
red  to  return 
e  chair.  On 
1  Arnold,  the 
id  Albany  to 
I  the  south  ot 
might  he  re- 
1  the  colonies. 
o  that  of  lh« 
i  put  in  a  pos 


;iire  of  dffencf.  Tlifv  iicomniiMuUMi  to  the  coloni.sts  to  collcci  saV.,ielrf  411(1 
iul|)liiir,  and  to  maiml'aclure  uuiipowdfr  for  tlie  iisf  of  the  united  provinces 
Thi-y  rcsitlvcd  to  raise  Iroops,  ;iii(l  made  every  preparation  for  ni.iiiitaiiiiiig  their 
privili'ueN  by  force,  if  liiimbli!  represeiitaiions  and  petitions  should  prove  uiisiie- 
cessrill 

Hill,  amiil  all  these  warlike  preparations,  the  greater  number  of  the  dtpnties 
had  no  intention  of  separating  from  Mritain,  or  of  aspiring  to  indepeiulence. 
They  were  res(dutely  determined  to  defend  ibeir  privileges,  but  aimed  at  iititliing 
more  ;  altlioiiub,  even  at  this  early  period,  a  few  were  fully  eonvinceil  that  the 
coiiiesi  must  teriniiiati!  either  in  al'sobite  siil)missiiin  or  complete  independence. 
Th"'  congress  addre-.^.'  I  a  letter  to  thi-  (ippnssrd  inhabitants  of  (Janaila,  styling 
In  inselves  their  f'rn mi.t  and  r.niinlryini'n.  Its  obvimis  design  was  to  inspire  the 
Canadians  with  jealousy  or  hatred  of  the  Hritish  government,  and  to  gain  their 
good  will  and  co-operation  in  the  measures  which  they  were  then  pursuing. 

( )n  the  15tli  of  June  congress  proceeded  to  choose,  by  ballot,  a  cornmander-in- 
chief  of  the  provincial  or  continental  forces,  and  unanimously  elected  (Jeorge 
Washington  to  that  arduous  oHice.  We  have  already  alluded  briefly  to  his  eariy 
history,  and  to  his  early  military  services.  These  had  established  his  char- 
acter as  a  sagacitnis  warrior,  a  man  of  sound  understanding,  undaunted  courage, 
and  inlle.xible  inte<;riiy.  In  addition,  he  enjoyed,  in  a  high  degree,  the  court 
deuce  of  his  countrymen,  and  had  been  chostiii  one  of  the  deputies  to  congress 
for  his  native  province  of  Virginia.  He  had  used  neither  solicitation  nor  influ- 
ence of  any  kind  to  |)rocure  the  appointment  ;  and  when  the  president  informed 
him  of  his  eh'ction,  and  of  the  reiiuest  of  congress  that  he  would  accept  the  of- 
fice, he  stood  up  in  his  place,  and  addressed  the  president  in  the  following  terms  : 
■'  Though  I  am  truly  sensible  of  the  high  honor  done  me  by  this  appointment, 
yet  I  feel  great  distress  from  a  consciousness  that  my  abilities  and  military  ex 
perience  are  not  equal  to  the  arduous  trust,  lint,  as  the  congress  desire  it,  I 
will  enter  on  the  momentous  duty,  and  exert  every  power  I  possess  in  their  ser- 
vice, and  for  the  support  of  the  glorious  cause.  I  beg  they  will  accept  my  cor- 
dial thanks  for  this  high  testimony  of  their  approbation."  He  besought  congress 
to  remember  th.at  he  thought  himself  unequal  to  the  command  with  which  they 
had  honored  him  ;  that  he  expected  no  emolument  from  it,  but  that  he  would 
keep  an  exact  account  of  his  expenses,  and  hoped  they  would  reimburse  him. 

The  congress  afterward  chose  Artemas  Ward,  Charles  Lee,  Philip  Schuyler, 
and  Israel  Putnam,  major-generals,  and  Horatio  Gates  adjutant-general.  On 
the  22d  of  June  the)*  appointed  Seth  Pomeroy,  Richard  Montgomery,  David 
Wooster,  William  Heath,  Joseph  Spencer,  John  Thomas,  John  Sullivan,  and 
Nathaniel  Greene,  brigadiei -generals. 

While  the  continental  congress  was  busily  employed  in  taking  such  measures 
as  they  deemed  best  for  the  general  safety,  the  provincial  congress  of  Massachu- 
setts Bay,  and  the  colonial  troops  encamped  before  Boston,  were  not  without 
their  cares  and  'oils  The  American  army  being  entirely  unaccustomed  to  mili- 
tary subordination,  many  of  the  militia  came  to  amp,  stayed  a  few  days,  and 
then  returned  home.  The  army,  which  at  first  amounted  to  20,000  men,  dwin« 
died  down  to  less  than  a  third  of  that  number,  and  gave  no  flattering  prospect  of 
success  in  a  protracted  contest  with  regular  troops.  But  some  skirmishes  hap- 
pened,  on  occasion  of  bringing  oflf  cattle  from  the  islands  in  the  vicinity  of  Bos- 
ton, in  which  the  Americans  were  successful;  and  this  encouraged  them. 

In  the  end  of  May  and  beginning  of  June,  Generals  Howe,  Burgoyne,  and 
Clinton,  with  reinforcements  from  Britain,  arrived  at  Boston.  The  British  gen- 
eral, in  common  v/ith  his  trt>op8,  indignant  at  being  cooped  up  by  a  force  which 
all  despised,  resolved  on  active  operation^  ;  but  every  movement  which  tney 
made  was  watched  with  an  attentive  eye  bv  zealotis  Americans  in  Boston   whc 


»fefe: 


"^i^^^ 


9i 


TWE  PICTOKIAI,   HlsroKY 


found  means  to  pt'nctratc  into  tvcry  <l»'«inii  btl'i)rf  it  was  carrieil  into  •«x«'cutioii 
ami  to  transmit  aecrft  int»l!ini'Mii'  to  tin-  AiniTiciin  lifadiiuarlers.  Aliont  tin' 
niiililli  of  Jiiiu',  it  was  sus[n'cle(l  that  (ifneral  Cia^f  inifndcii  to  cros.>«  thf  river 
(  harles,  on  tho  north  side  of  Hoston,  and  take  posstsdon  of  IJrecd's  or  Hunker's 
Hill,  in  the  peninsula  of  ('h.'irli'stown.  Thai  poiiinsuia  has  tiie  river  Mystic,  or 
Mi'dford,  on  tile  iu)rtli.  and  the  river  ('harles  on  the  south,  separ:>iinu  it  from  tho 
nenitisula  of  Uosion.  It  is  level  toward  the  sea  ;  hut,  nearly  opposite  lioston,  a 
ronsiderahiu  eminenee  rims  across  the  peninsula,  lietween  the  rivers  Medford 
and  Charh^s,  at  the  bottom  of  which,  on  the  banks  of  the  last-named  river,  stood 
(.'harlestown,  o,.,  «,site  Boston. 

On  the  niuht  of  tlie  Ifith  of  June,  upward  of  1,000  Americans,  under  Colonel 
William  I'rescott,  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  this  etninence.  and  entrench  them- 
selves upon  it.  The  movement  was  not  without  diHiiulty  and  danger;  for 
British  vessels  of  war  were  lyinij  both  in  the  Medford  and  Charles,  on  each  side 
of  the  narrow  peninsula.  Hut  the  provincials  marched  to  the  place  in  profound 
silence ;  and  about  midnight  l)egan  their  operations.  'I'hey  labored  with  such 
assiduity,  that  before  the  dawn  of  day  they  had  thrown  up  a  breastwork  nearly 
acro.HR  the  peninsula,  and  constructed  a  small  redoubt  on  their  right 


Fib.  69.— Throwing  up  Entrenchmpnts  on  Hunker's  Hill. 

About  four  in  the  morning  of  the  I7th  of  June,  the  .American  works  were  OD- 
served  by  the  captain  of  the  Lively  sloop  of  war,  lying  in  the  river  Charles,  who 
instantly  began  a  heavy  fire  upon  them,  and  was  soon  joined  by  the  other  ships, 
and  by  the  battery  on  Copp's  Hill  at  Boston.  The  Americans  steadily  continued 
their  labors  under  a  furious  cannonade  and  an  incessant  shower  of  balls  and 
bombs ;  but  so  harmless  w^as  this  fearful  noise  that  they  lost  only  one  man  in 
ihe  course  of  the  morning.  As  in  this  post  the  Americans  overlooked  Boston, 
it  was  thought  necessary  to  dislodge  them ;  and  for  this  purpose,  soon  after  mid- 
day a  detachment  of  British  troops,  under  the  command  of  Generals  Howe  and 
Figot,  crossed  the  river  in  boats,  and  landed  near  the  point  of  the  peninsula; 
but  on  observing  the  formidable  position  of  the  Americans,  they  waited  for  a 
reinforcement,  which  soon  arived.  Meanwhile  the  steeples  and  the  roofs  of  the 
houses  in  Boston,  the  eminences  in  the  adjacent  country,  and  the  ships  in  the 
rivers  were  crowded  with  anxious  spectators,  agitated  by  different  hopes  and 
fears,  according  to  their  different  attachments  and  interests.  The  main  body  of 
the  American  army  encamped  beyond  Charlestown  Neck,  were  looking  on  ;  and 
Geiierals  Clinton  and  Burgoyne,  and  other  British  officers  of  high  rank,  took  thei/ 
«tation  ir  the  battery  on  Copp's  Hill  to  view  the  approaching  conflict. 


Of    lUK  A.MEKICVN   KKVOLI.TION. 


199 


lo  fxrculioii 
Aliout  till' 

1)8!*  ih»'  rivir 

s  or  Hunkcr'a 
r  Mystii',  or 
[T  it  I'roiii  tlie 

lite  lioHton,  u 
ftH   Mtiillord 

i  river,  stood 

iiider  Colonel 
itrench  thom- 
.  danger ;  lor 
on  each  side 
e  in  profound 
id  with  such 
stwork  nearly 


•  .-* 


^orks  were  oD- 
r  Charles,  who 
the  other  ships, 
ladily  continued 
rer  of  balls  and 
nly  one  man  in 
rlooked  Boston, 
soon  after  niid- 
srals  Howe  and 
the  peninsula; 
ley  waited  for  a 
the  roofs  of  the 
the  ships  in  the 
rent  hopes  and 
te  main  body  of 
looking  on ;  and 
1  rank,  took  theil 
nflict. 


?io.  60.— Encampment  on  Breed's  Hill. 
While  General  How  waited  for  his  reinforctMnent,  the  Americans  received 
an  accession  of  strr,  n  ;,  under  Generals  vVarrcii  and  Pomeroy,  who  crossed 
Charlestown  Neck  u.  d.'c  a  brisk  cannonade  from  the  shipping  in  the  r'vers,  to 
join  their  c  >  i  'trymen  and  take  p  '.  in  the  battle.  By  their  arrival  the  provin- 
cial force  '.vus  i  icreased  to  l,50u  at  least.  The  Americans  also  took  advantage 
of  Genera  Howe's  halt  to  strengthen  part  of  their  position,  by  pulling  down 
some  rail-fences,  forming  the  stakes  into  two  parallel  lines  at  a  small  distance 
from  each  other,  and  filling  the  interval  with  hay. 

The  British  detachment,  consisting  of  upward  of  2,000  men,  advanced  toward 
the  American  line.  The  light  infantry  commanded  by  General  Howe,  was  on 
the  right ;  the  grenadiers,  under  General  Pigot,  on  the  left.  They  began  the 
attack  by  i,  brisk  cannonade  from  som*  field-pieces  and  howitzers,  the  troops 
proceeding  slowly,  and  sometimes  halting,  to  give  time  to  the  artillery  to  produce 
some  effect.  On  advancing,  the  left  set  fire  to  Charlestown,  a  thriving  town, 
containing  about  300  wooden  houses,  besides  other  buildings,  and  entirely  con- 
sumed it.  The  rising  flames  added  not  a  little  to  the  grandeur  and  solemnity  of 
the  scene.  ^ 

Secure  behind  their  entrenchments,  the  Americans  reserved  their  fire,  and 
silently  waited  the  approach  of  the  British,  till  the  whites  of  their  eyes  could 
he  discerned,  when  they  poured  upon  them  an  incessant  and  well-directed  dis- 
charge of  musketry.  The  British  returned  the  fire  for  some  time,  without  at- 
tempting to  advance :  but  the  discharge  from  the  American  line  was  so  close 
and  so  destructive,  that  the  troops  at  length  gave  way,  and  fell  back  toward  the 
landing-place.  By  the  vigorous  exertions  of  their  officers,  however,  they  were 
again  brought  to  the  charge :  and  the  Americans,  again  reserving  their  fir^  'i'l 
the  troops  were  very  near,  directed  it  against  them  with  the  same  deadly  f  im  as 
before      Many  fell ;  at  one  time  General  Howe  for  a  few  seconds  was  left 


:?^^^ii&«!#ft*2^ 


UF    THE  AMERICAN  RK VOLUTION. 


157 


'    ? 


-SJi* 


ilone,  every  officer  and  soldier  near  him  having  been  killed  or  wounded.     Th« 
roops  gave  wav  a  second  time  ;  but  at  that  critical   moment  Sir  Henry  Clio    b 


Fio.  62. — Portrait  of  General  Clinton,  from  a  picture  by  J.  Smart. 
aiTived  from  Boston,  and  was  very  active  in  leading  ihem  back  to  a  third  and 
more  successful  attack,  in  which  they  entered  the  American  lines  with  fixed 
bayonets.  The  colonists  had  nearly  exhausted  their  powder,  and  hence  their 
lire  had  slackened.  Being  mostly  armed  with  old  rusty  muskets,  and  ill-provided 
with  bayonets,  they  were  unprepared  for  a  close  encounter,  but  they  met  the 
British  with  clubbed  muskets,  until  overcome  by  numbers  and  destitute  of  am- 
munition, they  were  compelled  to  retreat.  In  passing  Charlestown  Neck,  they 
were  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  Glasgow  sloop  of  war,  and  two  floating  batteries, 
from  which  they  sustained  their  greatest  loss. 

The  British  troops  had  suffered  so  severely  in  the  engagement,  that  no  pursuit 
was  ordered  ;  and  indeed  a  pursuit  could  have  served  no  good  purpose,  as  the 
main  body  of  the  American  army  was  at  a  small  distance  beyond  the  Neck,  and 
tlie  royal  troops  were  in  no  condition  to  encounter  it.  They  were  protected 
merely  by  the  ships  of  war  and  floating  batteries  in  the  rivers  Charles  and  Med- 
ford.  '  The  battle  lasted  about  an  hour,  during  the  greater  part  of  which  time 
there  was  an  incessant  blaze  of  musketry  from  the  American  line. 

This  was  a  severe  battle  ;  and  considering  the  numbers  engaged,  extremely 
destructive  to  the  British ;  for  nearly  one  half  of  the  detachment  fell.  Accord- 
ing to  the  return  made  by  General  Gage,  they  lost  1,054  men  ;  226  of  whom 
were  slain  on  the  field,  and  828  wounded.  Nineteen  commissioned  oflicers 
were  killed,  and  seventy  wounded  ;  among  the  former  was  Major  Pitcairn. 
whose  inconsiderate  conduct  at  Lexington  had  occasioned  the  first  shedding  of 
bljod. 

The  Americans  had  139  killed,  278  wounded,  and  thirty-six  missing ;  in  all 
1.53.  Among  the  killed  were  several  provincial  offic^jrs  ;  but  the  death  of  Gen- 
eral Warren  was  particularly  regretted  by  his  countrymen.  He  was  seen  by  a 
British  oflicer,  a  personal  acquaintance,  io  rally  the  Americans  in  their  retreat : 
the  officer  borrowed  a  musket,  took  deliberate  aim,  and  Warren  fell.  In  this  en- 
eajjement  the  Americans  discovered  far  more  courage  and  steadiness  than  couW 


■  \-^l^"^AtiidiM-vi\4i'^'^'?^'^-^'Vf  y^'^J'^- 


158 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 


15S 


J 


hive  been  exnected  from  an  ill-disciplined  nulitia,  few  of  whom  had  before  seen 
flie  face  of  aSenemy  ;  but  theu  hearts  were  nerved  by  he  consc.m.sness  of 
rllg  in  tlie  Hght,  a.^  their  arms  were  strengthened  by  .ne  desire  of  ob.a.mng 

''Sy5?e'eng!;gi;rthe  British  entrenched  themselves  on  Bur.ker's  IHll,  the 

scene  oactionf  and  the  Americans  on   Prospect  Hill,  at  a  sn.al    distance  m 

nmt  of  them      The  colonists  had  been  driven  from  their  entrenchments ;  the 

S  troops  had  suffered  severely  in  the  battle,  and  neither  party  was  forward 

,0  renew  fhe  conflict.     Each  fortified  his  post,  and  stood  on  the  defensive. 

On  the  2d  of  July,  General  Washington,  accompanied  by  General  Lee  and 
scve^a  other  officers  of  rank,  arrived  at  Cambridge,  the  headquarters  ol  the 
prov  ncial  army.  On  his  journey  he  had  everywhere  been  received  with  much 
n'specl  and  rjcorted  by  companies  of  gentlemen,  who  volunteered  their  ser..- 

"  Genet  Washington  found  between  fourteen  and  fifteen  thousand  men  en- 
can.pd  before  Ro'ston  ;  and  he  and  the  other  generals  -''";-^^^;  ;--'-« 
i„  establishintr  more  exact  discipline  than  had  been  observed  before^  Vn- 
ler  S  care^l  c\.loni  in  amis  soon  acquired  somewhat  of  the  n.echanism 
a'ul  movements,  as  well  as  the  name  of  an  army  ;  but  still  they  were  ill-disc 

^'"ThVAmJn'rsTtho  had  been   made   prisoners  at  Bunker's   Hill,  were   in- 
discrTminately  thrown  into  jail  at  Boston,  and  treated  with  l""^^!"''"^;/^^/^" 
ihP  1 1th  of  AuEust   General  Washington  addressed  a  letter  to  General  Gage  on 
t       J,ct  ad  informed  him  that  hfs  treatment  of  British  P"--rs  shouU  be 
regulated   by  that   which   the  Americans  experienced.     General   Gage  replied 
hat  he  prisoners  had  been  treated  with  care  ..a      'ulness  but  -d.scnm.na  ely 
because  he  acknowledged  no  rank  that  was  n.t    '  <  ved  from  the  k  ng     a^.d  a 
tli«  same  time  retorted  on  the  Americans  the  en.     ".  ot  cruelty.     Genera   Wash- 
I  ^ton    eS    "I  have  taken  time,  sir,  to  make  .  strict  inquiry,  and  hud  the  m- 
eCnc?you  hJe  received  has  net  the  least  foundation  in  truth.     Not  only 
^^f  officers  and  soldiers  have  been  treated  with  the  tenderness  due  to  fellow- 
cozens  and  brethren ;  but  even   those  execrable  parricides,  whose  council  and 
ad  have  deluged  this  country  with  blood,  have  been  protected  from  the  tury  of 
a  ustSenragfd  people.     Yoil  affect,  sir,  to  despise  all  rank  not  derived  from  the 
s-ime  source  with  yLur  own;  I  can  not  conceive  one  more  honorable  than  tha 
wMch  flows  from  L  uncorrupted  choice  of  a  brave  and  free  people,  the  purest 

'l^:1^^^:^rmL  suspend  military  operations:  some 

skirm;shiTi>ok 'place  between  the  advanced  P-»«-f  ^Jf.^-.^J'^r.hi'l";  t  h 
Americans  fortified  themselves  on  an  eminence  within  half  a  mile  ol  the  Hritisn 
nos^  on  Bu.  ke"  s  Hill  There  was  a  good  deal  of  firing  on  the  occasion  with- 
^ut  much  Sslo  either  side;  but  it  in  some  measure  accustomed  the  colonists 
to  the  use  of  arms,  the  noise  of  artillery,  and  the  operauons  of  war. 

tL Tmerica  army  was  extremely  deficient  in  gunpowder  ;  but  m  the  begin- 
„i„g  ,^  sTpt  mber  it  deceived  a  supply  of  7,000  pounds  from  R»'ode  Ishuid  pro- 
cured it  is  said,  from  the  British  forts  on  the  coast  ol  Af"^^-  .f'f  r^":^  ^''^ 
olect^d  in  all  the  colonies;  powder-mills  were  «-<^^«d  at  Philade^.h.a^^^^^^^^ 
New  York;  and  upward  of  100  barrels  of  powder  were  obtained  bv  American 
airents  from  the  magazine  at  Bermuda.  ,.^     ,  •        r  i  •       .     .;^..      ii« 

General  Washington  soon  began  to  feel  the  difficulties  of  his  situation.  He 
perce  led  that  he  expense  of  maintaining  the  army  far  exceeded  any  esumat. 
5f  congress,  and  was  very  uneasy  on  the  subject.  The  ""-  -  ^^'^^f J  J' ; 
tinental  soldiers  were  engaged  to  serve  was  drawing  to  '^^^--l^^^,' '""'  J,*^.  '"J^^^ 
of  verv  short  enlistments  was  felt.     A  council  ol   war,  therelore.  unanimousl, 


t^»l^i!)...-«- 


&i . 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


IGl 


ill  ' 


agreed  that  tlie  iiiPii  about  to  be  levied  should  be  engaged  till  tin-  1st  of  Uecem- 
bcr,  1776.  This  was  a  very  iiiiulequate  remedy  lor  the  evil,  which  was  soverelv 
felt  in  the  course  of  the  war;  but  some  hopes  of  a  reconciliation  between  Mrit- 
ain  and  the  colonies  were  still  entertained. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  General  Gage  sailed  for  Britain,  and  the  commaiid  of 
the  British  army  devolved  on  General  (afterward  viscount)  Howe,  who  issued  a 
proclamation  comlemning  to  military  execution  such  of  the  inhabitants  of  Boston 
as  should  be  caueht  attempting  to  leave  the  town  without  a  written  permission. 
About  that  time  the  royal  cruisers  on  the  coasts  of  New  England  began  a  sys- 
tem of  piratical  and  predatory  warfare  against  the  inhabitants,  which  considera- 
bly injured,  but  neither  intimidated  nor  subdued  tliem.  Captain  Wallace,  of  the 
Rose  man  of  war,  with  two  tenders,  pursued  a'  vessel  which  took  refuge  in  the 
port  of  Stonington,  in  Connecticut;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  Septem- 
ber, he  began  to  fire  on  the  town,  .nd  continued  his  hostilities,  with  little  inter- 
mission, throughout  the  day.  He  killed  two  iren,  damaged  the  housed,  and  car- 
ried off  some  vessels.  At  Rhode  Island  some  firing  took  place  between  the 
miiiute-men  and  the  ships,  on  occasion  of  carrying  off  some  cattle.  Captain 
Wallace  afterward  sailed  to  Bristol,  and  demanded  300  sheep,  which  not  being 
complied  with,  he  began  a  heavy  cannonade  on  this  unprotected  place,  and  con- 
tinued it  till  some  persons  went  on  board  and  purchased  the  peace  of  the  town 
with  forty  sheep. 

On  the  I8ih  of  October  Captain  Mowat,  with  a  few  armed  vessels,  in  a  cow- 
ardly manner,  burnt  the  town  of  F'almouth,  in  the  northern  part  of  .Massachusetts 
Bay,  and  declared  that  his  orders  were  to  set  on  fire  all  the  seaport  towns  be- 
tween Boston  and  Halifax.  The  destruction  of  unprotected  towns  alarmed  and 
exasperated,  but  did  not  intimidate  the  colonists. 

Meanwhile  the  troops  in  Boston  were  reduced  to  a  very  uncomfortable  con- 
dition :  they  could  not  procure  provisions  and  other  necessaries  from  the  coun- 
try, and  their  maritime  supplies  were  much  interrupted  ;  for,  on  the  9th  of  Octo- 
ber, the  assembly  of  .Massachusetts  Bay  resolved  to  fit  out  armed  vessels  for  the 
defence  of  the  American  coast ;  and  afterward  appointed  courts  of  admiralty,  to 
condemn  such  captured  vessels  as  should  be  proved  to  belong  to  persons  hostile 
to  the  united  American  colonies.  Privateers  were  soon  at  sea,  and  in  a  few 
days  took  an  ordnance  ship  from  Woolwich,  and  several  store-ships,  j.-ith  valu- 
able cargoei  ,  which  afforded  a  seasonable  supply  to  the  Arnerican  camp,  while 
the  loss  was  s-^verely  felt  by  the  Br'tish  army  in  Boston.  A  military  transport, 
having  been  becalmed  off  Cohassett,  was  gallantly  captured  by  Isaiah  Doi  le,  at 
the  head  of  twenty  men  ;  who  boarded  her  at  night,  attacking  in  two  A'hale 
boats  with  mufHed  oars.  She  was  carried  into  Cohassett  and  her  stores  were 
found  to  be  very  useful  to  the  American  army.  Congress  also  soon  resolved 
to  fit  out  and  commission  ships  of  war. 

But  although  the  British  army  in  Boston  was  in  very  disagreeable  circum- 
stances, and  success  attended  the  naval  operations  of  the  Americans,  yet  the  af- 
fairs of  the  provinces  wore  no  flattering  aspect.  The  term  for  which  many  of 
the  men  had  enlisted  was  about  to  expire.  Irritation  of  spirit  had  made  them  fly 
to  arms  ;  and,  in  the  fervor  of  their  zeal,  they  would  at  first  have  readily  engaged 
to  serve  during  the  war  :  but  the  opportunity  was  lost,  and  congress  severely  felt 
the  error  in  the  course  of  the  struggle.  At  the  same  time  the  colonial  treasury 
was  hut  ill-replenished,  and  the  provincial  paper-meney  soon  became  deprecia 
ted.  In  these  circumstances  congress,  wishing  by  a  bold  movement  to  put  an 
f  nd  to  the  war,  or  at  least  by  the  splendor  of  a  successful  operation  to  reani- 
mate the  zeal  of  the  people,  was  desirous  that  an  attack  should  be  made  on  Bos' 
ton  ;  but  a  council  of  war  deemed  the  measure  inexpedient. 


■  '■.-ic.'»isv.*i^/;:;I(fii^t> 


OF'  THE  AMERICAN  REVOI.UTION. 


163 


Congress  early  turned  its  attention  toward  Canada,  and  endeavored  to  fjain 
the  co-operation,  or  at  least  to  senire  the  neutrality  of  the  inhabitants,  in  its 
dispute  with  Britain.  The  conj^ress  of  tiie  preceding  year,  aithouifh  prolcssing 
allegiance  to  the  British  crown,  had  circulated  an  address  to  the  Canadians,  evi- 
dently intended  to  render  theni  disafft'cted  to  the  British  administration,  end  to 
make  them  enter  into  the  sentiments  ajul  measures  of  the  other  provinces.  Al- 
though that  address  did  not  make  on  the  minds  of  the  Canadians  all  that  impres- 
sion which  was  intended  and  desired,  yet  it  was  not  altogether  without  effect ; 
for  the  great  body  of  the  people  wished  to  remain  neutral  in  the  contest. 

Congress  mistook  the  reluctance  of  the  (Canadians  to  engage  in  active  opera- 
tions against  them  for  a  decided  partiality  to  their  cause,  and  resolved  to  antici 
pate  the  British,  by  striking  a  decisive  blow  in  that  quarter  In  this  purposa 
they  were  encouraged  by  the  easy  success  of  the  enterprise  against  the  forts  on 
the  lakes,  and  by  the  small  number  of  troops  then  in  Canada.  Tliey  appointed 
General  Schuyler  communder  of  the  expedition,  with  General  Montgomery  un- 
der him.  Early  in  Septeml)er,  those  officers,  with  about  1,000  men,  made  a 
feeble  attempt  on  Fort  St.  John,  situated  on  the  river  Sorel,  which  flows  from 
Lake  Champlain  and  joins  the  St.  J.,awrence,  but  found  it  expedient  to  retire  to 
If"le  aux  Noix,  at  the  entrance  of  the  lake,  about  twelve  miles  above  the  fort, 
and  wait  for  reinforcementc. 


Fio.  66. — St.  John,  on  the  Sorel. 

Meanwhile  General  Schuyler  was  tak«"n  ill,  and  returned  to  Albany,  leaving 
the  command  in  the  hands  of  General  Montgomery,  with  instructions  to  prose- 
cute the  enterprise,  on  receiving  the  expected  reinforcements.  The  reinforce 
ments  arrived  :  the  attack  on  Fort  St.  John  was  renewed  ;  and  after  a  vigoroufc 
defence,  it  surrendered  about  the  middle  of  November.  In  it  the  Americans 
found  n  considerable  number  of  brass  and  iron  cannon,  howitzers,  and  mortars  » 


*"-**i>i -t*'-'^-"^ - 


■fiN  v.".'.-.  :=•__"- 


161 


THE    PICTOKIAL    HISTORY 


quantity  of  shot  and  small  shells,  ultout  800  stand  of  small-arms,  and  some  nk  iy 
stores  ;  l)Ut  the  powder  and  provisions  were  nearly  exhausted. 

During  the  siege  of  Fort  St.  John,  Fort  Ch.unblne  had  been  taken,  which  fur- 
nished General  Montgomery  with  a  ()leniiful  supply  of  provisions,  of  which  he 
stood  greatly  in  need.  General  Carleton,  who  was  on  his  way  from  Montreal  to 
r(;lieve  the  garrison,  had  been  defeated  ;  and  (Colonel  Allen,  who  had  made  an 
attack  on  Montreal,  was  overcome  and  taken  prisoner. 

On  the  fall  of  Fort  St.  John,  General  Montgomery  advanced  against  Montreal, 
which  was  in  no  condition  to  resist  liim.  Governor  Carleton,  sensible  of  his 
inability  to  defend  the  town,  quitted  it,  and  next  day  General  Montgomery  en- 
tered the  place.  A  body  of  provincials,  under  (^olr)nel  Katon,  took  p)st  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Sorel,  ami  l)y  means  of  an  armed  vessel  and  floating  batterie*, 
roinmande(l  the  navigation  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  The  British  force,  which  had 
retreated  down  the  river  from  Montreal,  consisting  only  of  about  120  soldieis 
witli  several  officers,  under  General  Prescott,  and  accompanied  by  Governor 
Carleton,  in  eleven  vessels,  seeing  it  impracticable  to  force  thi?  passage,  surren 
dered  by  capitulation.  'I'he  vessels  contained  a  consideralilc  quantity  of  provis 
ions,  arms,  and  ammunition,  which  furnished  a  seasonable  supply  to  the  Ameri- 
cans. About  midnight  of  the  day  before  the  ca[)itulation.  Governor  Carle- 
ton escaped  down  the  river  in  a  boat  with  inufHed  oars,  and  safely  reached 
Quebec. 

It  was  now  the  19th  of  November,  and  the  severe  weather  which  had  set  in 
was  very  unfavorable  to  military  operations.  General  Montgomery,  a  young 
man  of  superior  talents  and  high  spirit,  found  himself  in  extremely  unpleasant 
circuinslan('es.  He  was  at  the  head  of  a  bodj*  of  armed  men,  v.  ny  of  whonr 
were  not  deficient  in  personal  courage,  but  all  of  them  were  strangers  to  militar) 
subordination.  The  term  of  service  for  which  numbers  of  them  were  engagei? 
was  near  an  end  ;  and  alreaily  weary  of  the  hardshi|>s  of  war,  they  clamorously 
demanded  a  discharge.  Nothing  but  devotion  to  his  country  could  have  made 
him  continue  in  the  irksome  command.  Hitherto  his  career  had  been  success- 
ful, and  he  was  ambitious  of  closing  the  campaign  by  some  brilliant  achieve- 
ment which  might  at  once  elevate  the  spirits  of  the  Americans  and  humble  the 
pride  of  the  Ikitish  ministry.  With  these  views,  even  at  that  rigorous  season 
of  tlie  year,  he  hastened  toward  Quebec,  although  he  found  it  necessary  to 
weaken  his  little  army,  which  had  never  exceeded  2,000  men,  by  discharging 
such  of  his  followers  as  had  become  weary  of  the  service. 

About  the  middle  of  September  a  detachment  of  1,100  men,  under  Colonel 
Arnold,  was  sent  from  the  camp  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  with  orders  to  pro- 
ceed across  the  country  against  Quebec,  by  a  route  which  had  not  been  ex- 
plored, and  was  little  known.  The  party  embarked  at  Newbury,  steered  for  the 
Kennebec,  a^!''  ascended  that  river.  But  their  progress  was  impeded  by  rapids, 
by  ar  almost  iirpassable  wilderness,  by  bad  weather,  and  by  want  of  provisions. 
They  separated  into  several  divisions.  After  encountering  many  difficulties,  the 
last  division,  under  Colonel  Enos,  was  unable  to  proceed,  and  returned  to  the  camp 
in  the  vicinity  of  Boston.  But  the  other  divisions,  under  Arnold,  pressed  forward 
AiTiid  incredible  hardships  and  privations,  and  triumphed  over  obstacles  nearly  in- 
superable. For  a  month  they  toiled  throug'.  a  rough,  barren,  and  uninhabited  wil- 
derness, without  seeing  a  human  habitation,  or  the  face  of  an  imlividual,  except 
those  of  their  own  party,  and  with  very  scanty  provisions.  At  length,  on  the 
9th  of  November,  Arnold,  with  his  force  much  diminished,  arrived  at  Point  Levi 
opposite  Quebec. 

His  appearance  was  not  unexpected ;  for  the  lieutenant  governor  had  been 
for  some  time  apprized  of  his  march.  In  the  early  part  of  his  progres?^.,  Arnold 
had  met  an  Indian,  to  whom,  althoug*'  3  stranger,  he  had  imprudently  entrusted 


Isome  nk  i.\ 

which  Cur- 
[{  which  he 
Montreal  to 
made  an 

t  Montreal, 
ible  of  hiit 
goinory  en- 
post  at  the 
g  batteries, 
which  hail 
:0  soidins 
Governor 
ago,  surren 
ty  of  provis 
the  Ameri- 
rnor  Carle- 
ely  reached 

h  had  set  in 

ry,  a  young 

y  unpleasani 

ny  of  whorr 

:s  to  niilitarj 

'ere  eiigagei] 

clamorously 

d  have  made 

ieen  success- 

iant  achieve- 

1  humble  the 

orous  season 

necessary  to 

Y  discharging 

inder  Colonel 
jrders  to  pro- 
not  been  ex- 
teered  for  the 
lod  by  rapids, 
of  provisions, 
ifficulties,  the 
;d  to  the  camp 
?ssed  forward 
des  nearly  in- 
inhabited  wil- 
I'idiial,  except 
ength,  on  the 
It  Point  Levi 

lor  had  been 
igres',,  Arniilc? 
ntly  entrusted 


OF  THE  AMKUICAN   UKVdI.I  TI("»\. 


lb» 


■  letter  to  (HMicral  Schuyler,  under  cover  to  a  friend  in  Quebec.  The  Indian, 
instead  of  faithfully  ilelivering  the  letter  according  to  the  directions  which  he 
had  received,  carried  it  to  the  liciiienant  uovenior,  who,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
Americans  IrDiii  jias.siiig  the  river,  iiinuediately  reiiioved  all  the  ''anoe")  from 
Point  F^f'vi,  and  began  to  put  the  liiy  in  a  posture  of  deft'iice,  which  before 
might  ea-.iJy  liave  been  surprised.  On  discovering  the  arrival  of  Arnold  at 
Point  Levi,  the  IJniish  conuuander  stationed  two  vessels  of  war  in  the  river  to 
guard  the  p;issai;e  ;  -.ind,  at  that  interestitig  crisis,  Coimiel  M'liCan,  who  had  re- 
treated bel'ore  .Moniyomery,  arrived  from  the  Siiril,  wiili  al)out  170  newly-raised 
troops,  to  assist  in  tlie  del'inee  of  llif  place. 


y^^^ 


Fio.  67. — Arnold  crossing  the  River. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  vigilance  of  the  British,  on  the  night  of  the  14th  of 
November  Arnold  crossed  the  river  with  500  men,  in  thirty-five  canoes,  and 
landed  unperceived  near  the  place  where  the  brave  and  enterprising  Wolfe  had 
landed  about  sixteen  years  before,  thence  named  Wolfe's  Cove.  He  had  provi 
ded  scaling  ladders,  but  was  unable  to  carry  them  over  the  river  with  hit  troops, 
and  consequently  was  not  in  a  condition  to  make  an  immediate  attempt  on  the 
town.  Instead,  however,  of  concealing  himself  till  he  could  bring  forward  his 
BcaliiiT  ladders,  and  then  make  a  sudden  and  unexpected  attack  by  night,  he 
marched  part  of  his  troops  in  military  parade  in  sight  of  the  garrison,  and  so  put 
the  British  fully  on  thtir  guard.  He  wished  to  summon  them  to  surrender,  but 
they  fired  on  his  flag  of  truce,  and  refused  to  hold  any  intercourse  wi<h  him. 
He,  therefore,  on  the  19th  of  the  month,  turned  his  back  on  Quebec,  and  marched 
to  Point  aux  Trembles,  about  twenty  miles  above  the  city,  where  General  Mont- 
gomery, with  the  force  under  his  command,  joined  him  on  thu  first  of  December. 

Soon  after  Arnold's  retreat.  Governor  Carleton  arriveil  in  Quebec,  and  made 
every  exertion  to  put  the  place  in  a  state  of  defence.  Having  brought  the  sea' 
ling  ladders  across  the  river,  General  Montgomery,  with  the  whole  of  the  Amer- 


:.>>s*»^;^>.S?^*'- 


OF  TiiK  ami:ki<:an  kkvoi.ution. 


tuy 


,..«n  for.  0,  appear...!  l...fore  Qu.-l-.c  on  -h.-  o.h  ..f  I)ece.nlu|r.        1  .  >.-rnson  wa. 
h"n   nor.;nl.m.  r..ns  ,l.au  .)..■  ar,n>   wl..l.  .-an...  ...  take  ...  p  a.j^  ^f^Z 

was  the  A.nerican  lorce  re.luc.l.  .ha.  ..  scan-ly  '^'''•'""''■'';"  .  ,f,^.     ;;;r;  „„! 

''^i;ira;~K..,u.rv  s....  a  :1a,  ..f  truce  ...  Mnnn...,,  .h.-  .arrt.on  to  surrender ; 
but^comrary  to  u'.age  LuM.g  civ^hz..!  na...,n.,  u  wa.  f.re.l  upo..,  as  that  ol  At- 


Fio.  69 —British  Soldiers  firing  at  the  Flag  of  Truce. 
nold  had  b.!en.     He  therefore,  in  ih.    depth  of  a  Canadian   wi.Aer,  and  m  tn« 
m..st  intense  cokl,  erected  batteries  ;  but  his  artiUery  was  too  hght  to  make  a..y 
inu.r.ss.o.,  ..n  the  fortifications.     He  therefore  determined  to  storm  the  town  : 
an-l  the  assault  was  made  on  the  morning  of  the  31st  ot  December. 

About  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  in  the  midst  of  a  violent  storin  of  snow,  two 
feints  and  two  real  attacks  were  simultaneously  made.  Ihe  real  attacks  were 
conducted  by  M.H.tgomery  and  Arnold.  Mon^omery,  advancing  at  the  head 
of  about  200  men,  fell  by  the  first  discharge  of  ,.  ape-shot  from  the  works  Sev- 
eral of  his  best  officers  being  killed,  his  division  retreated.  Arnold  at  the  head 
of  about  300  men,  in  a  .lifferent  .luarler,  maintained  a  fierce  and  "bstu.ate  co.i 
rtict  for  some  time  ;  but  was  at  last  wounded  and  repulsed.  The  death  of  Mont- 
.romery  was  the  subject  of  much  regret,  as  he  had  been  universally  loved  and  es- 
teemed On  assembling  after  the  assault,  the  provincials  could  not  muster  many 
more  than  400  effective  men,  who  chose  Arnold  their  commander  ;  and,  in  the 
hope  of  receiving  reinforcements,  resolved  to  remain  in  the  vicinity  of  Quebec. 

Thus  perished  this  gallant  Irishman,  a  martyr  to  his  love  for  liberty,  hghting 
bravelv  in  defence  of  his  adopted  country.  c  v  u 

In  fro..t  of  the  church  of  St.  Paul's,  in  Broadway,  at  the  oorner  of  Fulton 
street,  New  York,  may  be  seen  a  very  plain  monument  with  the  loUowing  in- 

**^"  Thrs^iionument  is  erected  by  order  of  congress,  25th  January,  1776,  to 
transmit  to  posterity  a  grateful  remembrance  of  the  ;>a«n«««*ffi,  con(Z«c<,  enterprise, 
an'  ner^eveLce  of  Major-General  Richard  Montgomery  who,  after  a  series 
of  bmcr.,-ies,  amid  the  most  discouraging  difficulties,  fell  mlhe  attacK  on  Quebec. 

3l3t  iiecmber,  1775,  aged  37  years.  ,  ,,  ■      r-  i  p;  »,o„» 

"  '^h.-  State  of  New  York  caused  the  remains  of  Major-General  KicharU 

Montgomery  to  be  conveyed  from  Quebec  and  deposited  beneath  this  monument. 

ihe  8th  day  of  July,  1818."  v     u-  u  u    .      . 

Sir  Guv  Carleton  acquired  much  honor  by  ^he  humanity  witV  which  he  trea» 


.-;--wl'.v-';*ivii*;^'^--  ^"'"Civ 


OF  TlIK  AMEItlC.W  UKVOLUIION 


1 60 


itgomnrv. 


Fio.  71. — Montgomery  Leading  on  his  Men. 

ea  all  his  prisoners.  He  fought  as  a  sohUor,  ami  felt  as  a  man.  The  Aniencanti 
were  not  ignorant  of  their  own  great  inferiority  in  point  of  numbers  to  the  gar- 
rison, and  were  not  without  apprehensions  of  being  attacked  ;  but,  although  the 
garrison  was  three  times  more  numerous  than  the  blockading  army,  yet  it  was 
of  such  a  mixed  and  precarious  nature,  that  Sir  Guy  Carleton  did  not  deem  it 
prudent  to  march  out  against  the  enemy. 

A  dmall  reinforcement  from  Massachusetts  reached  the  American  camp,  and 
all  the  troops  that  could  be  spared  from  Montreal  marched  to  join  their  country- 
men before  Quebec  ;  but  the  month  of  February  was  far  advanced  before  the 
army  amounted  to  960  men.  Arnold,  however,  resumed  the  siege  ;  but  his  ar- 
tillery was  inadequate  to  the  undertaking,  and  made  no  impression  or.  the  works. 
Although  unsuccessful  against  the  town,  he  defeated  a  body  of  Canadians  who 
advanced  to  relieve  it. 

While  the  American  army  lay  before  Quebec,  the  troops  caught  the  small-pox 
from  a  woman  who  had  been  a  nurse  in  an  hospital  of  the  city ;  and  the  loath- 
some disease  spread  rapidly  among  them.  In  order  to  mitigate  the  ravages  ef 
this  destructive  malady,  many  of  the  men  inoculated  themselves,  regardless  of 
orders  to  the  contrary.  The  reinforcements,  which  were  daily  arriving,  had  re- 
course to  the  same  practice  ;  and  so  general  was  the  infection,  that,  on  the  first 
of  May,  although  the  army  amounted  to  2,000  men,  yet  not  more  than  900  were 
fit  for  duty.  In  this  diseased  state  of  the  troops,  medichies  and  everything 
necessary  for  the  sick  were  wanting.  The  men  were  also  scattered  for  want  of 
barracks.  Major-General  Thomas,  who  had  been  appointed  to  the  command  of 
the  American  army  in  Canada,  arrived  in  camp  on  the  Ist  of  May.  He  found 
the  troops  enfeebled  by  disease,  ill-supplied  with  provisions,  and  with  only  a 
small  quantity  of  ammunition.  The  river  was  opening  below  ;  and  he  was  well 
aware  that  as  soon  as  ships  could  force  their  way  through  the  ice,  the  garrison 


^  ^«;33s^i^,^%tT^'^J.^^<>• 


170 


THE    PICTOUIAI.    HISTORY 


would  be  reinforced.  On  the  5th  of  May.  therefore,  he  resolved  to  retreat  tow- 
Trd  Montreal ;  and  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  he  -ceived  certam  mforma- 
rion  that  a  British  fleet  was  in  the  river.  Next  morning  some  of  the  ships  by 
great  exertion  and  with  much  danger,  pressed  through  the  ice  into  the  harbor, 

^"UfAfjrrns'wTe  preparing  to  retire:   General  Carleton  marched  out  to 


Fio.  72 —Portrait  of  General  Carleton. 
attack  them ;  and  as  there  was  no  hope  of  successfully  ^-^^^^^  Jj^j;^ ^^g™^^^^^ 
superior,  they  made  a  precipitate  retreat  leaving  behind  'l^^';"  J^^'/^'i^^^^^^^^^ 
artillery  and  military  stores.     Many  of  those  who  were  ill  "^  ^^^^^^^  P^^" 
caped  from  the  hospitals  and  concealed  themselves  in  the  ^"""^'^y' J/^f  !■  ff  ^ 
were  kind™y  entertaine.l  by  the  Canadians  till  they  recovered,  and  were  able  to 
follow  Su  countrymen.     General  Carleton  could  not  overtake  the  American 
army  ;  but  he  took  about  100  sick  prisoners.  . 

Th^  Americans  retreated  about  forty-five  nn  es,  and  then  l^^Ued  afew  days 
but  afterward  proceeded  to  Sorel,  in  a  deplorable  condiUon,  and  enc^^^^^^^ 
In  this  interval  some  reinforcements  arrived  ;  but  General  f  ^omas  was  seizea 
with  the  small-pox,  and  died.     He  was  succeeded  in  command  by  General  bul 

''The  British  had  several  military  posts  in  Upper  Canada  ;  and  the  Americans 
established  one  at  the  Cedars,  a  point  of  land  which  projects  into  the  St.  Law 
rence,  about  forty  miles  above  Montreal.  Captain  ^orster  who  had  marcnea 
from  bswyatchie,  appeared  before  this  post  with  a  ^"'"P*"^  ^J  J"„^;"%^„en- 
con^iderable  numbe?  of  Indians  ;  and  the  American  <=7™^"^Kf,^^ 
dered  the  place  after  a  short  resistance.  An  Anierican  party  °f  ^°°';Y""  ^^^^^ 
under  MaiSr  Sherburne,  left  Montreal  to  assist  their  countrymen  at  the  Cedars 

,.,,er.l.  l^i  who  ihon  oon.n....ded  a.  Monlrea!  wa.  donrous  ot  rMO.enng  U., 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


171 


retreat  tow- 
tain  informa- 
he  ships,  by 

the  harbor, 

rched  out  to 


force  so  muco 
sick,  baggage, 
1  small-pox  es- 
y,  where  they 
d  were  able  to 

the  American 

)d  a  few  days  ; 
ncamped  there, 
as  was  seized 
y  General  Sul- 

the  Americans 

0  the  St.  Law- 

1  had  marched 
regulars  and  a 
:  officoi  surreu- 
ibout  100  men, 
ai  the  Cedars  ; 
r,  and  ignorant 

a  body  of  In- 
,  the  Americans 
of  the  Indians 

nk  of  brigadier- 
recovering  \ht 


Cedars,  and  of  relieving  the  prisoners  there  ;  and  for  these  purposes  marched 
loward  that  place,  at  the  head  of  about  800  men.  But  on  his  approach  Captain 
For.sier  gave  him  notice,  that  unless  he  agreed  to  a  cartel,  which  had  already 
been  signed  by  Major  Sherburne  and  some  other  officers,  the  Indians  svould  put 
all  the  prisoners  to  death.  In  these  circumstances,  Arnold  reluctantly  signed 
tho  cartel,  and  retired. 

Before  the  end  of  May,  the  British  force  in  Canada  was  greatly  increased ; 
and,  including  the  German  mercenaries,  was  estimated  at  13,000  men.  That 
force  was  -.videly  dispersed  ;  but  Three  Rivers,  about  ninety  miles  above  Quebec 
and  as  much  below  Montreal,  was  the  general  point  of  rendezvous.  A  consid 
erable  detachment,  under  General  Frazer,  had  already  arrived  there.  That  de- 
iachment  General  Sullivan  wished  to  surprise  ;  and  appointed  General  Thomp- 
son to  command  the  troops  in  the  expedition  sent  out  for  that  purpose.  The 
enterprise  failed  ;  Thompson  was  made  prisoner,  and  his  detachment  dispersed, 
but  without  any  great  loss. 

The  royal  military  and  naval  forces  having  been  collected  at  Three  Rivers,  a 
long  village  so  named  from  its  contiguity  to  a  river  which  empties  itself  into  the 
St.  Lawrence  by  three  mouths,  advanced  by  land  and  water  toward  the  Sorel. 
General  Sullivan  had  retreated  up  that  river  ;  and  General  Burgoyne  was  or- 
dered cautiously  to  pursue  him.  On  the  15th  of  June,  General  Arnold  quitted 
Montreal,  crossed  the  river  at  Longueille,  marched  on  Chamblee,  and  con- 
ducted the  army  to  Crown  Point,  with  little  loss  in  the  retreat.  Thus  terminated 
.he  invasion  of  Canada,  in  which  the  American  army  endured  great  hardships, 
and  sustained  considerable  loss,  without  any  advantage  to  the  cause  in  which  it 
was  engaged. 

Historical  annals  rarely  furnish  so  striking  and  interesting  occurrences  oh 
might  be  recorded,  were  the  detail  fully  given  of  the  memorable  march  of  the 
Americans  in  order  to  penetrate  Quebec.  Honorably  as  it  has  been  commem- 
orated, its  difficulties,  dangers,  an^  privations,  can  never  be  sufficiently  appreci- 
ated. We  read  of  the  passage  of  the  Alps  with  a  just  sentiment  of  admiration  ; 
yet  it  is  not  certain  but  that  the  privations  and  difficulties  of  those  enterprises 
were  surpassed  in  the  expedition  of  Arnold.  Their  batteaux  had  to  be  dragged 
by  the  soldiers  over  water-falls,  portages,  and  rapid  streams,  and  such  parts  of  the 
march  as  was  not  made  by  rivers,  was  performed  for  a  distance  of  three  hundred 
miles  through  thick  woods,  over  lofty  mountains,  and  deep  morasses.  A  part 
of  the  detachment  actual 'y  abandoned  the  undertaking  and  returned  to  Cam- 
bridge to  avoid  starvation.  Those  who  persevered  were  actually  compelled,  in 
order  to  appease  the  torments  of  hunger,  to  devour  dogs,  reptiles,  and  their  very 
cartridge-boxes.  Among  the  patriots  of  this  tried  corps  of  invincibles  were  the 
late  Col.  Burr  and  Col.  Samuel  Ward,  recently  deceased  in  the  city  of  New 
York. 

Although  the  Americans  had  failed  in  their  attempt  on  Canada,  they  still  oc- 
cupied Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga.  General  Carleton  resolved  to  drive  them 
from  those  posts  ;  but  that  was  an  arduous  task,  for  the  British  had  not  a  ship 
on  Lake  Champlain  to  oppose  the  American  navy  ;  and  it  was  deemed  unadvi- 
sable  to  advance,  without  first  gaining  the  command  of  the  lakes.  The  great 
aim  was  to  obtain  possession  of  the  upper  parts  of  the  Hudson,  to  march  to  Al- 
bany, make  themselves  masters  of  the  country  in  General  Washington's  rear, 
and  open  a  communication  between  the  British  army  in  Canada  and  that  at  New 
York.  The  task  was  arduous ;  and  General  Carleton  labored  with  unwearied 
assiduity  in  providing  the  means  of  gaining  a  superiority  on  the  lakes.  In  about 
three  months,  his  efforts  were  ciowued  with  success.  Early,  in  October,  he  had 
a  formidable  fleet,  which  rose,  as  if  by  magic,  upon  Lake  Champlain  It  con- 
Misted  of  the  Inflexible,  carrying  eighteen  12-pouuder8,  one  schooner,  mounting 


P?2 


THE   PICTORIAL   UlsTOKV 


fourteen  r2-[<ouii(lers.  and  another  havini;  twelve  12-poun(lern  ,  a  flat-iiottonMd 
vej-sel,  carrying  six  24  and  six  !2-poundors,  besides  howitzers  ;  a  vessel  having 
seven  Q-pouiulers  ;  twenty  gun-boats,  each  inoiuiling  a  l.iriiss  cannon,  from  9  to 
24-pou  ders  ;  with  other  armed  vessels,  and  a  great  number  of  trarisports  and 
tenders.  This  fleet  had  been  constructed  with  immiuise  labor,  part  of  the  ma- 
terials having  been  brought  from  a  distance,  and  many  of  the  boats  dragged  up 
ihe  rapids  of  the  Sorel.  The  fleet  was  manned  with  700  choice  seamen,  and 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Pringle. 

The  Americans  were  sensible  of  the  importance  of  maintaining  a  superiority 
on  the  lakes,  and  had  made  every  etfort  in  their  power  for  tliat  purpose  ;  but, 
from  want  of  money,  materials,  and  artilicers,  their  exertions  had  not  been  suc- 
cessful. Their  fleet  amounted  only  to  fifteen  vessels,  consisting  of  two  schoon- 
ers, one  sloop,  one  cutter,  three  galleys,  and  eight  gondolas.  The  largest 
schooner  mounted  only  12,  6,  and  4-pounder8.  Arnold,  as  a  man  of  desperate 
courage,  was  appointed  to  command  this  little  fleet,  whictn  was,  in  every  respect, 
greatly  inferior  to  that  of  the  British. 

About  the  middle  of  October,  the  royal  fleet,  commanded  b^  Captain  Pringle, 
and  having  General  Carleton  on  board,  proceeded  up  Lake  Champlain  in  quest 
of  the  Americans.  The  armed  vessels  were  in  front ;  the  army,  in  many  trans- 
ports, brought  up  the  rear.  The  whole  had  a  gay  and  magnificent  appearance. 
They  found  Arnold  in  an  advantageous  position,  forming  a  line  to  defend  the 
passage  between  the  island  of  Valicour  aiul  the  western  bank.     A  warm  en- 

gement  ensued  ;  and  the  Inflexible  and  some  other  large  British  ships  being 


Fm.  73. — Eni^agemeDt  on  Lake  ChamplaUt 

hindered  by  an  unfavorable  wind  from  coming  so  near  as  to  take  an  eflicieui 
part  in  the  battle,  Arnold  was  able,  notwithstanding  the  great  .'nferiority  of  his 
force,  to  maintain  the  jonflict  for  some  hours  ;  when,  night  approaching,  Captain 
Pringln  withdrew  his  ships  from  the  action,  but  stationed  them  at  a  little  distance 


01   THK  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


173 


-l^ottoiTitsd 
sel  having 
from  9  10 
>p(ms  and 
)f  the  lua- 
iraggeii  up 
amen,  and 

superiority 
pose  ;  but, 
I  been  suc- 
vo  schoon- 
he  largest 
f  desperate 
gry  respect, 

lin  Pringle, 
lin  in  quest 
many  trans- 
ippearance. 
defend  the 
.  warm  en- 
ships  being 


;e  an  efficieu. 
ferioriiy  of  his 
.ching,  Captain 
3,  little  distance 


onl\  .  with  a  view  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  Americans.      In  this  cnga^einon* 
Arnold's  large.st  schooner  was  burnt,  and  a  gondola  sunk. 

Arnold,  feeling  his  inability  to  renew  the  conflict  next  day,  made  his  escape 
during  tii'  nigiit,  in  the  hope  of  reaching  Ticonderoga,  and  fniding  shelter  under 
ihe  guns  ot  the  (ort.  The  wind  was  favorable,  and  next  morning  he  was  out  of 
sight  of  the  Uritish  fleet.  Captain  Pringle  ordered  an  immediate  pursuit,  over- 
look the  Americans,  and  brought  them  to  action  before  they  reached  Crown 
Point.  Arnold  fought  wuh  his  usual  resolution  for  about  two  hours;  during 
which  time,  such  of  his  fleet  as  were  most  ahead  fled  under  a  press  of  sail,  and 
escaped  to  Ticonderoga.  Two  galleys  and  five  gondolas,  which  remained  with 
hini,  made  a  desperate  defence.  At  length  one  of  them  was  compelled  to  slrikf 
her  colors.  Arnold  was  unable  any  longer  to  maintain  the  unecjual  conflict 
but,  disdaining  to  surrender,  he  ran  his  ships  ashore,  landed  his  men,  and  set 
his  vessels  on  fire  and  blew  them  up.  In  the  face  of  the  nifwi  active  and  vigor- 
ous opposition,  he  preserved  his  crews,  and  prevented  his  shipx  from  fallins  into 
the  hands  of  the  British. 

(ieneral  Carleton  advanced  with  the  fleet,  and  appeared  off  '  >own  Point  on 
the  15th  of  October.  On  his  approach,  a  small  American  delacfcuuent,  stationed 
there  as  an  advanced  post,  set  fire  to  the  houses,  and  retired  lo  Ticonderoga, 
which  Generals  Schuyler  and  Gates  had  determined  to  defend  to  thf  last  es- 
treinity.  General  Carleton  took  possession  of  Crown  Point,  sent  R<rward  part 
of  his  fleet  in  sight  of  Ticonderoga,  and  advanced  with  his  army  toward  that 
place  ;  but  after  viewing  the  works,  and  considering  that  winter  was  setting  in, 
and  the  difficulty  of  bringing  provisions  from  Canada  to  supply  his  ar»y  during 
that  inclement  season,  he  prudently  resolved  to  retire  ;  and  put  his  army  into 
winter  quarters  on  the  Sorel  and  its  vicinity.  Isle  anx  Noix  was  his  advanced 
post. 

While  their  armies  were  blockading  Boston  and  fighting  in  Canada,  congress 
were  actively  employed  m  devising  and  adopting  s:  nh  measures  as  they  thought 
most  conducive  to  the  general  welfare.  On  the  6th  of  July,  1775,  they  publish- 
ed a  declaration,  settMig  fwth  the  causes  and  necessity  of  their  having  taken  up 
arms,  and  alleged  that  they  were  reduced  to  the  painful  alternative  of  uncon 
ditionai  submission  to  the  tyranny  of  an  irritated  ministry,  or  of  resistance  by 
force.  **  The  latter,"  said  they,  "  is  our  choice  :  we  have  counted  the  cost  of  the 
contest,  and  find  notliing  so  dreadful  as  voluntary  slavery." 

On  the  8th  of  July,  the  members  signed  their  famous  second  petition  to  the  king. 
It  was  expressed  in  respectful  language,  well  written,  and  declared  their  senti- 
fl*enls  in  a  firm  but  dutiful  manner.  On  the  same  day, they  agreed  loan  address 
to<lw  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain,  in  which  they  said:  "  We  have  again  present- 
I  an  liMinble  and  dutiful  petition  to  our  sovereign  ;  and,  to  remove  every  im- 
putation i)f  obstinacy,  have  requested  his  majesty  to  direct  some  mode  by  which 
ih"  united  supplicatiwis  of  his  faithful  colonists  may  be  improved  into  a  happy 
and  j)erina*<Hnt  reconciliation.  We  are  willing  to  treat  on  such  terms  as  can 
aione  f  rifW  an  accomino<lation  bisUng  ;  and  we  flatter  ourselves  that  our  pa- 
cific endeavors  will  be  attended  with  a  removal  of  ministerial  troops,  and  the  re 
peal  of  those  iss>s»»  of  the  operation  of  which  we  complain,  on  the  one  part ;  and 
the  disbanding  of  (tm  army  and  a  dissolution  of  our  commercial  associations  on 
the  other."  A'  th«  same  time,  they  hinted  at  the  danger  to  which  British  fret 
doMi  would  be  exposed,  if  ilie  spirit  of  liberty  were  crushed  in  America. 

Ttwy  also  wrote  a  letter  of  thanks  to  the  lord  mayor,  aldermen,  and  livery  of 
'he  city  of  London,  for  their  \irtuous  and  spirited  opposition  to  the  oppressive 
and  ruinous  system  of  colonial  administration  adopted  by  the  British  cabinet 
These  several  papers  were  transmuted  to  Richard  Penn,  whom  congress  i» 


174 


THE   PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


qiiesii'J  to  prospiil       ir  petition  to  the  kmg.     Mr.  Pcim  sailed  for  England  with- 
out dcliiy. 

('ongre.-is  appointed  coiiimissioners  to  sii])erintpnd  Indian  affairs,  to  prepare 
proper  talks  for  the  tribes,  and  to  watch  over  the  int(!rests  of  the  colonies  in  re- 
lation to  thetn.  While  congress  was  attentive  to  [jiiard  against  Indian  hostility, 
and  to  gain  Indian  friendship,  they  exerted  theinsidves  to  put  the  provinces  in  a 
posture  of  defence,  and  recoinniended  to  all  al)le-hodied  men  in  the  colonies,  be- 
IwetMi  sixteen  and  liftv  years  of  age,  immediately  to  I'orm  themselves  into  regu- 
lar companies  of  militia,  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  military  exercise,  and  to 
select  a  fourth  part  of  the  militia  in  every  colony  as  minute-men,  ready  to  march, 
on  a  minute's  iu)tice,  wherever  their  assistance  might  be  required.  They  also 
recotrnnended  to  each  colony  to  appoint  a  committee  of  safety  to  watch  over  the 
pul)lic  welfare,  during  the  recess  of  their  respective  assemblies  and  conventions, 
and  to  nKik(!  all  the  provision  in  their  power  for  the  protection  of  their  harbors 
and  coasts. 

Amid  the  noise  of  arms  and  the  contrivances  of  policy,  the  ceremonials  of  re- 
ligion were  not  forgotten.  The  20th  of  July  was  appointed  as  a  general  fast, 
and,  on  that  day,  the  members  of  congress,  in  a  body,  attended  public  worship, 
both  forenoon  and  afternoon.  The  day  was  observed  in  Philadelphia  as  the 
most  solemn  fast  that  had  ever  been  held  in  .hat  city  ;  an<l  it  was  punctually 
kept  throughout  the  united  colonies. 

The  congress  ap|)ointcil  the  establishment  of  a  post-otfice,  to  extend  from  Fal- 
mouth in  New  England  to  Savannah  in  Georgia,  and  elected  Benjamin  Franklin 
postmaster-general.  They  also  resolved  to  form  an  hospital  for  an  army  of 
20  000  men,  and  tiominated  Dr.  Church  director  and  physician  of  it 


CHAPTER  IV 


Un  the  1st  of  August,  congress  adjourned  to  the  5th  of  September  ;  and  to« 
adjournment  iu)t  only  gave  the  members  an  opportunity  of  attending  to  their  pri- 
V  te  affairs,  but  also  of  consulting  their  constituents  ;  and  it  enabled  those  who 
secretly  looked  forward  to  independence  to  disseminate  their  opinions  more 
freely  by  personal  intercourse  thanthey  durst  attempt  by  written  correspondence. 

The  congress  re-assembled  at  the  appointed  time,  and  resumed  their  labors. 
Their  situation  was  difficult ;  and  they  were  distracted  and  alarmed  by  many 
caies,  apprehensions,  and  dangers.  The  great  body  of  the  people  was  on  their 
side  ;  but  they  were  not  ignorant  of  the  fickleness  of  the  multitude,  or  of  their 
irresolution  and  instability  in  the  course  of  a  severe  and  protracted  struggle. 
Many  of  the  colcnists  were  not  unfriendly  to  the  claims  of  Britain,  or  so  luke- 
warm in  the  cause  of  the  provinces  as  to  be  unwilling  to  hazard  much  in  its  sup- 
port. The  supporters  of  royal  authority  made  hostile  movements  in  several  of 
the  colonies  :  but  they  we.j  crushed  by  the  superior  power  of  their  opponents. 

In  New  York,  the  British  interest  was  stronger  than  in  anvof  the  other  prov 
inces  ;  and  the  intrigues  of  Mr.  Tryoii,  governor  of  that  colony,  gave  congresH 
considerable  uneasiness  ;  so  that,  with  a  view  to  his  apprehension,  they  recom- 
i;:iended  to  the  several  provincial  assemblies,  or  committees  of  public  safely,  to 
arrest  (;very  person  within  tiieir  respective  jurisdictions,  whose  being  at  In.rge 
might  endanger  tiie  safety  of  the  colony,  or  the  liberties  of  America.'  Of  this 
recommendation  Mr  Tryon  s-^eins  to  have  been  early  apprized  by  Mr.  Duane, 
one  o!'  the  Ntv  York  delegates,  who  was  far  from  giving  a  cordial  assent  to  th« 


^'^:^}&^^-An&'^^iM' 


md  with 


prrpiiri' 

ies  ill  re- 

liostility. 

nres  in  a 

oiiii^s,  be- 

iito  regii- 

iind   to 

to  march, 

liey  also 

over  the 

veiitiont, 

harbors 


lials  of  re- 
leral  fast , 
z  worship, 
lia  as  the 
punctually 

1  from  Fal- 
iu  Franklin 
n  army  of 


3r ;  and  toa 
to  their  pri- 
1  those  who 
inions  more 
espondence. 
their  labors, 
id  by  many 
was  on  their 
I,  or  of  their 
:ed  struggle. 
1,  or  so  luke- 
ch  in  its  sup- 
in  several  of 

opponents. 
e  other  prov 
avo  congresH 

they  recom- 
lic  safety,  to 
sing  at  brge 
ica.  Of  this 
J  Mr.  Duane, 
assent  to  tlM 


.-^^ 


I  70 


rilE  PICTORIAL  HlSTuIlY 


nioasiiros  of  congress  ;  find  tho  ifovcrnor  soiight  security  on  board  the  llilllfa^ 
packet,  tlien  lying  in  tht^  river. 

In  the  niontli  of  August,  the  New  York  convention  n  solved  to  Vfrnuive  tlie 
cairnon  (roin  the  battery  ni  tiic  city,  and  appointed  ("aptain  Sears  to  execute  the 
measure.  Captain  Vandeput,  of  the  Asia  man-of-war,  was  privately  inform<'d 
of  the  intention  ;  and,  about  midnight,  when  Captain  Sears  entered  on  his  work 
(Japlaiii  Vandeput  opened  a  lieavy  firt;  u|)oii  the  place  ;  l>ul  liie  ,\mericans  ac- 
complisiied  their  purpose,  without  htsing  a  man.  The  firing,  during  the  silence 
of  tlie  night,  greatly  alarmed  the  inhabitants  of  the  adjacent  towns. 

The  congress  was  fully  aware  of  the  iitiportance  of  preserving  the  conmiand 
of  the  Hudson,  or  North  River;  and,  for  that  purpose,  gave  directions  to  erect 
batteries  and  place  garrisons  in  the  highlands  ;  and  they  used  all  the  means  in 
their  power  to  keep  the  royal  party  in  .New  York  in  check,  by  stationing  troops, 
on  whiim  they  could  depend,  in  the  vicinity  of  that  city. 

The  convention  of  New  Hampshire  applied  to  congress  for  directions  how  to 
carry  on  the  administration  of  the  colony,  in  the  circumstances  in  which  they 
were  placed.  Congress  recommended  to  them  to  call  a  full  and  free  represen- 
tation of  the  people,  to  establish  such  a  form  of  government  as  they  deemed  most 
conducive  to  the  good  order,  peace,  and  happiness  of  the  province  ;  thus  setting 
an  example  of  popular  and  independent  government  for  the  imitation  of  the  coio- 
tii<'S. 

Congress  recommended  that  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina,  be  defended 
against  all  the  enemies  of  America ;  that  the  army  before  Boston  consist  of 
20,000  iiu'n  .;  and  that  particidar  colonies  raise  battalions  at  the  expense  of  the 
continent ,  that  four  armed  vessels  be  (itted  out  for  the  purpose  of  intercepting 
trans[)orts  la.len  with  warlike  stores  and  other  supjjlies  to  the  enemy,  and  for  tlie 
protection  and  defence  of  the  united  colonies.  Congress  deliberated  with  shut 
doors,  and  agreed,  "  'I'hal  every  member  consider  himself  und<  :lie  ties  of  vir- 
tue, honor,  and  love  of  his  country,  not  to  divulge,  directly  or  indirectly,  any 
nialter  or  thing  agitated  or  debated  in  congress  iiefcre  the  same  shall  have  oeen 
determined,  without  the  leave  of  cnnuress  ;  or  any  matter  or  thing  determined  in 
congress,  which  the  majority  of  congress  shall  order  to  be  kept  secret;  and  tliat, 
if  any  member  shall  violate  this  agreement,  he  shall  be  expelled  this  congress, 
and  be  deemed  an  enemy  to  the  lilierties  of  America,  and  liable  to  be  treated  as 
Buch  ;  and  that  evjry  meml)er  signify  Ins  assent  to  this  agreement  by  signing 
he  same."  In  this  way.  'lie  proi<'c'dings  of  congress  remained  entirely  unknown, 
e:    ept  in  so  far  as  that  body  clic      to  publish  them. 

'Ongress  appointed  a  committee  to  correspond  with  their  friends  in  Ikituin 
and  Ireland  ;  and  reconnnended  that  no  colonv  should  separately  petition  the 
king  :  they  resolved  to  secure  and  bring  away  a  iinantily  of  powder  in  tlie  island 
of  Providence  ;  to  retaliate,  on  such  Hritish  soldiers  as  fell  into  their  hands,  ai. 
sufTerings  (hat  miglit  be  inliicied  on  .-Vnn-rican  prisoners  ;  and  to  provide  thirteen 
armed  ships,  (Carrying  from  thirty-two  to  twenty-lour  guns  each,  of  wliuli  Eze- 
kiel  Hopkins  was  appointed  commander.  Thus,  before  the  enil  of  the  year  1775, 
although  congress  siill  made  professions  of  loyalty  to  the  king,  yet  everything 
throughout  the  colonies  was  in  a  state  of  the  most  active  preparation  for  war. 

At  Boston  the  lutsi-le  armies  remained  ijuiel  during  the  severity  of  winter  ; 
but  early  in  the  morning  of  the  1  ttii  of  February,  1776,  General  Howe  sent  a 
detachment  over  the  ice  to  Dorchester  Neck,  and  burnt  a  few  houses.  'I'iiis 
expedition  merelv  served  to  make  the  Americans  more  sensible  of  the  impor- 
tance of  estalilisiiing  ihemselvi.'s  on  Dorchester  heights.  Ceneral  Washington 
was  inclined  to  make  an  attack  on  Boston  :  to  that,  however,  a  couiuil  of  war 
did  not  agree,  hut  proposed  to  take  |K)ssession  of  Dorchester  heights,  which  are 
on  the  south  of  Boston,  as  Bunker's  Hill  is  on  the  north,  find  so  render  the  Brit- 


lliilifax 

novc  the 
i^culo  llie 
iiiroriii'Ml 
his  work 
iciiiis  iif- 
le  silence 

coniniaiiil 

8  to  (-rec't 

means  in 

ng  troops, 

as  how  to 
hich  they 
represen- 
LMued  most 
lus  setting 
)f  the  coh>- 

(lefended 

consist  of 

nse  of  the 

ntercepting 

and  for  the 

I  with  shut 
lies  of  vir- 
ireclly,  any 

have  oeen 
termined  in 
I ;  and  tliat, 
iS  congress, 
e  treated  as 

by  signing 
ly  unknown, 

i  in  Ikitiiin 
petition  the 
in  the  island 
r  hands,  ai. 
viile  thirteen 
whiih  Eze- 
le  year  1775, 
t  everything 

II  for  war. 
y  of  winter ; 
Howe  sent  a 
)uses.     This 
f  the  iiiipor- 

Wasbington 
nnuil  of  war 
ts,  which  are 
ider  the  Brit- 


178 


THE  PICTOHIAI,  msTnlJv 


ifli  ()u.si  ill  niistoii  uiiteiiiible.  The  meas\ire  wna  resolved  on,  iiiid  prt'iiariilion 
luadt'  for  earrviiiLf  it  into  excciuijii.  ^•^ccordiiii'lv,  on  the  fvcninu  of  tlio  llh  ol 
March,  a  strong  detachment  sihintly  crossed  iJorchis'er  Neck,  arrived  at  then 
places  of  destination,  and  labored  ii;''essiint!y  in  raisini;;  fortirications.  In  orJei 
to  conceal  this  movement,  the  Americans  had,  for  some  days  iief'ore,  kept  np  a 
heavy  tire  on  Boston,  with  little  eH'cct ;  and  it  had  been  as  ineffectually  reluiiic'J 
by  the  British. 

The  noiso  of  artillery  prevented  the  pick-axes  and  other  implements  of  the 
Americans  from  beins;  heard,  althouijh  the  L'ronnd  was  hard  frozen,  and  could 
not  easily  be  penetrated.  So  incessantly  did  they  labor,  that  during  the  niifjit 
they  raised  two  forts,  with  other  defenct^s,  which  in  the  morning  presented  to 
the  British  a  very  formidable  appearance.  On  viewing  these  work*,  General 
Howe  remarked,  that  tlie  Americans  had  done  more  in  one  nijjht  than  his  whole 
army  would  have  done  in  a  month.  Ho  determined  to  dislodge  them,  and  made 
ihe  necessa  "•  preparations  for  attacking  them  next  day.  But  in  the  night  a  vi- 
olent storm  aroi^i,  which  drove  some  of  his  vessels  ashore  on  (.iovernor'.s  Island  • 
and  in  the  morning  it  rained  so  heavily  that  the  attack  oould  not  be  made 

General  Howe  called  a  council  of  war,  which  was  of  opinion  that  the  towii 
of  Boston  ought  to  he  evacuated  as  soon  as  possible,  sji\ce  the  Americans  had 
got  time  to  strengthen  their  works,  so  as  to  render  an  attack  on  them  very  haz- 
ardous. For  their  own  defence,  the  provincials  had  provided  a  immber  of  bar- 
rels fined  with  stones  and  sand,  ready  to  be  rolled  down  on  the  assailants  as 
they  ascended  the  hill ;  a  device  which  would  have  broken  the  line  of  the  most 
steady  and  intrepid  troops,  and  thrown  them  into  confusion.  That  the  heights 
of  Dorchester  had  been  so  long  neglected  may  appear  surprising  ;  but  during 
winter  the  American  army  was  both  weak  and  ill  provide  i,  and  General  Howe 
had  no  troops  to  spare. 

In  Boston  all  was  bustle  and  confusion  ;  the  troops  and  the  friends  of  the 
British  government  preparing  to  quit  the  town.  General  Howe  was  desirous  of 
removing  all  his  stores  of  every  kind ;  and  his  adherents  wished  to  carry  off  all 
their  effects.  In  the  view  of  abandoning  the  town,  the  soldiery  were  guilty  of 
the  most  shameful  excesses,  plundering  the  shops  and  houses,  and  destr  ying 
what  they  could  not  take  away.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Sunday 
the  17th  of  March,  the  troops,  about  7,000  in  number,  and  some  hundreds  of 
loyal  inhabitants,  began  to  embark ;  and  they  were  all  on  board  and  under  sail 
before  ten.  The  evacuation  of  the  place  was  so  sudden  that  an  adequate  num- 
ber of  transports  had  not  been  prepared,  and  much  confusion  and  inconvenience 
were  experienced  on  board.  The  fleet,  however,  remained  several  days  in 
Nantucket  roads,  and  burnt  the  block-house  on  Castle  Island,  and  demolished  the 
fortifications.     A  considerable  quantity  of  stores  was  left  behind  ivi  Bot''"" 

As  the  last  of  the  British  party  were  marching  out  of  Boston,  General  Wash- 
ington entered  it,  ainid  the  triumphant  gratulations  of  the  citizens,  whose  joy  on 
their  deliverance  from  the  degrading  oppression  of  a  British  army  was  enthusi- 
astic. At  first  it  was  not  knowi  to  what  quarter  General  Howe  would  direct 
bis  course  ;  but,  apprehensive  ol  an  immediate  attack  on  New  Yokk,  General 
Washington,  on  the  day  after  the  evacuation,  despatched  five  regiments,  under 
General  Heath,  tov/ard  that  city,  and  soon  followed  with  the  main  body  of  his 
army. 

In  a  few  days  it  waa  ascertained  that  General  Howe,  instead  of  sailing  to  the 
•outliuard,  had  steered  to  Halifax.  But  he  left  some  cruisers  to  watch  the  en- 
trance into  Boston,  and  to  give  notice  of  tlie  evacuation  to  such  British  "esscls 
B8  were  destined  for  that  port.  Notwithstanding  that  precaution,  however,  sev- 
eral ships  and  transports,  ignorant  of  what  had  happened,  sailed  into  the  harbor, 
uid  beoirae  prizes  to  the  Americans,  who,  by  thi  'r  naval  captures,  procured  a 


■[luriitioi « 
ho  Jill  ol 
I  at  ihcii 
In  ortki 
kept  up  s 
\;  reluiiie.'l 

Ills  of  tho 
and  could 

the  iiiiilit 
jseiiteil  to 
I,  Generitl 

his  wholo 

and  made 
liglii  a  vi- 
r's  Island  • 
lade 

the  town 
•leans  had 
I  very  haz- 
bcr  of  bar- 
sailants  as 
of  the  most 
the  heights 
but  during 
leral  Howe 

nds  of  the 
desirous  of 
iarry  oft"  all 
re  guilty  of 
1  destroying 
r  of  Sunday 
lundreds  of 
d  under  sail 
equate  num- 
convenience 
iral  days  in 
inolished  the 
Uoc'-' 
iieral  Wash- 
k^hose  joy  on 
vas  enthusi- 
.vould  direct 
Oik,  General 
ments,  under 
s  body  of  his 

sailing  to  the 
vatch  the  e!A- 
ritjsh  "esscia 
lowever,  sev- 
to  the  harbor, 
IS,  procured  • 


130  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

.a„st  seasoihible  supply  of  arms  au-l  ammunition.  In  this  way  Lieutenant  Co,«» 
nTca-nphell,  with'n/arly  300  H.ghlanders,  after  a  brave  resistance,  was  taKen 

'^n:;;::;^' HiiienJm;;::^  •rcnnsulerable  time  at  HaliH^x,  to  refresh  his  n.op, 
..xiru"t,.;i  bv  the  fa,>Kues  ..,.!  privations  of  the  blockad.  ;  and  General  Wu.h- 

•T'cS;S.le  "^in.  Xsed  befl.re  .he  armies  under  General  Howe  and 
Wasb""o  ag  in  .^..Von.ell  each  other;  but  while  there  was  a  pause  in  m.h- 
t.ir..rmonsiu  the  north,  events  of  importance  happened  in  the  so"t»'-  !>' 
S^        - ■•  idl"  tlie  trieuds  l.f  congress  w-re  decidedly  -"^^"T^'^^^  "'^^ 

lu        .     .f  .1,0  Hrliish  ininistrv  were  i    ither    ew  nor  inactive,      ine  suppor 
:  'S.:      ml^^s   h"wr?:r,h.d  the.  system  far  better  organized^  t^r 
conmn;;;ic=mo..s  more  regular,  their  union  more  complete,  and  their  zeal  was 

'" 'n,r;!^;iS;^1;iovinci.lists.  wlsheu  to  f;.rce  all  to  join  the  non-importation  as- 
sochSois  S  '  fte  wanl  to  enrol  ^n  the  militia.  Many  refused,  and  quarrels 
aroir     Can  P  was   pitched  .u  unst  camp  ;  but,  after  some  negotiation   a  trea  y 

^?Z^"t^^>^'Xit^^.,>J:>l<'>  p,..v,„ci,l  leader,,  U„  .ending  ,,..•- 
d^rlo  liriniitmrM  ,  .in,e'  when  .h.  colontas  could  no.  procure  ih..  ,m,.o,..m 

""Si„r  sr.;;u'' trScd  .gam,.  ...umugh-n.  .n,. «,  „a,,y ..,..».. 

„bi.,d  .o  rrtrea.  before  .heir  superior  lorce,  and  a  la,l  lo.  md  ,t  ne> .  ,s.rj  .o 
«ke  rcfu™  in  a  Mockade  for.,  whor,.  Cunningha.i;  bes.oged  him.  U"'  "f^" 
a  'ew  dav,  a    o„  of  iruce  was  emcred  i.uo,  ar,d  both  par.,es  d>-|»r.ed,     A.  tha. 

"'  S^li^m  Smpbell,  governor  ofthe  province,  had  "ni^ly  r^— ml- 
ed  to  the  royalists  to  remain  quiet  till  the  arrival  ol  a  British  force  His  ad  ice 
was  not  followed  ;  and  the  friends  of  congress  were  eager  to  crush  all  inter  al 
was,  not  louo  ve  j ,  forpi^n  troops.     They,  therefore,  despatched  a 

"cS:;:i.;rbl  trvlr^atlme^Js  of  thJroyaUsts';  some  of  whom  fled  be- 
;S  the  mountains  or  into  Florida,  and  they  who  remained  were  completely 

^'"Melimhile  the  province  formed  for  itself  a  temporary  constitution  of  govern- 
ninierabllLed  boards  and  courts  for  conducting  public  business,  and  provided 
a,s  well  as  it  could  against  the  impending  storm  from  Britain. 

Chariest  m  the  capital  of  South  Carolina,  stands  .m  a  point  of  land  which 
li^fiewerile  rivers  Cooper  and  Ashley,  which  fall  into  a  bay  of  the  Atlan- 
ta 'nd  In  the  bay  th.re  are  several  islands.  The  people  resolved  to  .or  il> 
the'cS  •<  f  the  province;  and  for  that  purpose  erected  a  fort  on  Sullivan's  Isl- 
.rXch.es  in  he  by  about  sir.  mile,  below  the  town,  and  near  he  chan- 
nef  lelS  .  g  o  i      The  In  was  con.struc^  d  with  the  wood  of  the  palmetto  ;  a 


!nant  Coit>- 
was  takt'U 

his  iriiops, 
eral  Wash- 
Howe  and 
use  in  mill- 
south.  In 
us  ;  l)ut  ihp 
'he  support - 
.nizetl,  their 
ir  zeal  was 

^ortation  as- 
mil  quarrels 
ion,  a  treaty 
ilists  should 
Mr.  Robert 
persisted  in 
not  consider 
)opular  lead- 
tecution,  ap- 
1,  armed  his 
?A  ;  lull  they 
[1  which  was 
iiul  pru|)aga- 
iending  pow- 
lat  iin[)ortant 

rty,  hut 
net  I  ssary  to 
But  after 
sed.  At  that 
'or  a  forniida- 
in  front,  with 
the  adherents 

'  recommend- 
His  advice 
h  all  internal 
despatched  a 
vhom  fled  he- 
re completely 

on  of  govern- 
,  and  provided 

jf  land  which 
f  of  the  Atlan- 
)lved  to  fortify 
Sidlivan's  Isl- 
lear  the  chan- 
e  palmetto  ;  a 


i  Av  )iS*St«'f''>- 


182 


THE   I'ICIOKIAL  IlIbTOUY 


tree  peculnr  to  the  snuthLTii  stati-s,  whicti  jjrnws  from  twenty  to  furty  fuct  hign 
without  branches,  and  ti'rrninite.s  in  a  lop  re.-<einlilin>;  tho  head  )!'  a  cal)bage 
The  wood  of  tliu  tree  Ih  reiiiarkahly  M|>oM|;y ;  and  a  bali  entering  it  niaken  nc 
extended  fracture,  but  buries  itself  in  the  wood,  witliout  injuring  the  adjacent 
parts.    Tho  fort  waa  mounted  with  about  thirty  cannon  ;  32,  18,  and  0  pounders. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1773  and  beginning  of  177*),  great  exertions  had  been 
made  in  ilritain  to  send  an  overwhelming  force  into  America  ;  and  on  the  2d  of 
June  the  alarm  guns  were  lired  in  the  vicinity  of  Charleston,  and  expresses  seni 
to  tho  militia  ofTicer.s  to  hasten  to  the  defence  of  the  capital  with  the  forces  un 
der  their  command.  The  order  was  |)roinptly  obeyed  ;  and  some  continental 
regiments  from  the  neigliboring  states  also  arrived.  The  whole  was  under  the 
direction  of  General  Lee,  who  had  been  a[)pointed  commander  of  all  the  forces 
in  the  southern  states,  and  had  under  him  tho  continental  generals,  Armstrong 
and  IF" we. 

The  utmost  activity  prevailed  in  Charleston.  The  citizens,  abandoning  their 
usual  avocations,  emph)yed  themselves  entirely  in  putting  the  town  in  a  respecta- 
ble state  of  defence.  They  pulled  down  the  valuable  storehouses  on  the 
wharfs,  barricaded  the  streets,  and  constructed  lines  of  defence  along  the  shore. 
UeliiKiuishing  the  pursuits  of  j)eaceful  industry  and  conunercial  gain,  they  en- 
gaged in  incessant  labor,  and  prepared  for  bloody  conflicts.  The  troops, 
amounting  to  between  five  and  six  thousand  men,  were  stationed  in  the  most  ad- 
vantageous positions.  The  second  and  third  regular  regiments  of  South  Caro- 
lina, under  Colonels  Moultrie  and  Tliom.>4on,  were  posted  on  Sullivan's  Islaad 


Fio.  78. — William  Moultrie,  Major  (1 

A  jegiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Gadsden  was  stationed  at  Fort  Jonnsta, 
about  three  miles  below  Charleston,  on  the  most  northerly  point  of  James's  Isluiid, 
and  within  point  blank  shot  of  tho  channel.  Tho  rest  of  the  troops  were  posted 
Bl  Haddrel's  Point,  along  the  bay  near  the  town,  and  at  such  other  places  as 
were  thought  most  proper.  Amid  all  this  bustle  and  preparation,  lead  for  bullets, 
was  extremely  scarce,  and  the  windows  of  Charleston  were  stripped  of  theii 
weights,  in  order  to  procure  a  small  supply  of  that  iiecessary  article. 
While  the  Americans  were  thus  busily  emplo)  .,d,  the  British  exerted  them- 


<W.,. 


ny  feet  hlgQ 
t'  a  ciibbiige 

it  iiiakeu  nc 

thu  adjacent 
i  9  pounders. 
IIS   had  been 

on  the  2d  of 
X|)rc!i8es  seal 
ihe  forces  un 
lu  continental 
'as  under  the 

all  the  forces 
Is,  Armstrong 

mdoning  their 

I  in  a  respecta- 
uuses  on  the 
L»ng  the  shore, 
gain,  they  en- 

The  troops, 

II  the  most  ad- 
f  South  Caro- 
lUvan's  Islaad 


I  Fort  Jonnsta, 
■  James's  Isluud, 
ops  were  posted 
other  places  as 
I,  lead  for  bullets, 
stripped  of  theii 
tide, 
sh  exerted  them- 


■>. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


^ 


. 

1.0 

I.I 

1.25  1 

L^IIB     12.5 

^  ^    12.2 

U    11.6 

— 

i„ — 1 

^ ' — 

0 

PhotDgraphic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


^^^ 


23  WfST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)E72-4S03 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


!^ 


iV 


-^mw^nsTfW^ 


iiv*SSJii.. 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


183 


selves  with  activity.  About  the  middle  of  February,  an  armament  sailed  from 
be  Cove  of  Cork,  under  tiie  command  of  Sir  Peter  Pariver  and  Earl  Cornwal- 
IS   to  encourage  and  support  the  loyalists  in  the  soulhc  rn  provinces. 

\ft,.r  a  tedious  voyage,  the  greater  part  of  the  fleet  reached  Cape  Fear,  in 
Ncirtli  Carolina,  on  the  3d  of  May.  General  Clinton,  who  haa  left  Poston  m 
December  took  the  command  of  the  land  forces,  and  issued  a  jmclamation 
promising  pardon  to  all  the  inhabitants  who  laid  down  their  arms  ;  but  that  proo- 
lamation  produced  no  efTect.  Early  in  June,  the  armament,  consisting  of  be- 
tween forty  and  fifty  vessels,  appeared  ofT  Charleston  bay,  and  thirty-six  o  the 
transports  passed  the  bar,  and  anchored  about  three  miles  from  Sullivan's  Island. 
Some  hundreds  of  the  troops  landed  on  Long  Island,  which  lies  on  the  west  of 
Sullivan's  Island,  and  which  is  separated  froin  it  by  a  narrow  channel,  o  ten 
fordable  On  the  10th  of  the  month  the  Bristol,  a  fifty-gun  ship,  having  taken 
out  h.T  guns,  got  safely  over  the  bar ;  and  on  the  25th,  the  Experiment,  a  ship 
of  ediial  force,  arrived,' and  next  day  passed  in  the  same  way  On  the  part  ot 
the  British  everything  was  now  ready  for  action.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  nearly 
■S  000  men  under  his  command.  The  naval  force,  under  Sir  Peter  Parker,  con- 
sisted of  the  Bristol  and  Experiment,  of  fifty  guns  each;  the  Active  Acteon, 
Solehay,  and  Syren  frigates,  of  twenty-eight  guns  each  ;  the  Friendship  ot 
twenty-two,  and  the  Sphinx,  of  twenty  guns  ;  the  Ranger  sloop,  and  Fhunder- 

honib,  of  eight  guns  each.  •     .  .u    r    .    „ 

On  the  forenoon  of  the  28th  of  June,  this  fleet  advanced  against  the  fort  on 
Sullivan's  Island,  which  was  defended  by  Colonel  Moultrie,  with  344  regular 
troops,  and  some  militia  who  volunteered  their  services  on  the  occasion.  Ihe 
Thunder-bomb  began  the  battle.  The  Active,  Bristol,  Experiment,  and  Solebay, 
followed  boldly  to  the  attack,  and  a  terrible  cannonade  ensued.  The  'ort  re- 
turned  the  fire  of  the  ships  slowly,  but  with  deliberate  and  deadly  aim.  Ihe 
contest  was  carried  on  during  the  whole  day  with  unabatmg  fury.  All  the  for- 
ces collected  at  Charleston  stood  prepared  for  battle  ;  and  both  the  troops  and 
•he  numerous  spectators  beheld  the  conflict  with  alternations  of  hope  and  fear, 
which  appeared  in  their  countenances  and  gestures.  They  ktiew  not  how  soon 
the  fort  might  be  silenced  or  passed  by,  and  the  attack  immediately  made  upon 
themselves  ;  but  they  were  resolved  to  meet  the  invaders  at  the  waters  edge,  to 
dispute  every  inch  of  ground,  and  to  prefer  death  to  what  they  considered  to  be 

'  ThJsphinx,  Acteon,  and  Syren,  were  ordered  to  attack  the  western  extremity 
of  the  fort,  which  was  in  a  very  unfinished  state  ;  l>"ta8they  proceeded  for  that 
purpose,  they  got  entangled  with  a  shoal,  called  the  Middle  Ground  Two  of 
Ihem  ran  foul  of  each  other:  the  Acteon  stuck  fast;  the  Sphmx  and  Syren  go 
off-,  the  former  with  the  loss  of  her  bowsprit,  the  latter  with  little  injury  ;  but 
that  part  of  the  attack  completely  failed.  ,  ,.     ,      ,.      c-    u       ,  ri;„.«n 

It  had  been  concerted,  that  during  the  attack  by  the  ships,  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
with  the  troops,  should  pass  the  narrow  channel  which  separates  Long  Island 
from  Sullivan's  Island,  and  assail  the  fort  by  land:  but  this  the  general  found 
impracticable,  for  the  channel,  though  commonly  fordable  was  at  that  time  by  a 
long  prevalence  of  easterly  winds,  deeper  than  usual.  The  seamen  who  found 
themselves  engaged  in  such  a  severe  conflict,  often  cast  a  wistful  look  toward 
Long  Island,  in  the  hope  of  seein?  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  the  troops  advancing 
against  the  fort ;  but  their  hope  was  disappointed  and  the  ships  »"?  J^f  fort 
were  left  to  themselves  to  decide  the  combat.  Although  the  channel  had  been 
fordable,  the  British  troops  would  have  found  the  passage  an  arduous  enterprise; 
for  Colonel  Thomson,  with  a  strong  detachment  of  riflemen,  regulars,  and  mili- 
tia, was  posted  on  the  east  end  of  Sullivan's  Island  to  oppose  any  attack  mad. 
in  that  quarter. 


^v;j3fe4'i..i:^ 


84  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

I„  the  course  of  the  day  the  fire  of  the  fort  ceased  for  a  ^^^l^^^l^^l^;^ 
Br  lish  nattered  themselves  that  the  gu.is  were  abandoned  ;  but  ihei  at.se  «af 
«j;asioned  solely  by  the  want  of  powder,  and  whe.i  a  supply  was  obtained  the 
cumonade  re  ommenced  as  steadily  as  before.  The  engagement  which  began 
a  out  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  continued  with  unabated  fury  "11  «e^^" 
tlie  evenYne  when  the  fire  slackened,  and  about  nine  entirely  ceased  on  both 
s  des  Dur'ing  the  night  all  the  ships,  except  the  Acteon,  whu:h  was  aground 
removed  abom  two  miles  from  the  island.  Next  morning  the  fort  fired  a  fe^^ 
iZ't  the  Acteon  aTd  she  at  first  returned  them  ;  but  in  a  short  time  her  crew 
erL^on  fire    nd  abandoned  her.     A  party  of  Americans  boarded  the  bur„,„g 

essel  seized  her  colors,  fired  some  of  her  i-'^,f  C-"'-tllew  up  ^  ,^ 
three  boats  with  her  sails  and  stores,  and  then  quitted  her.    bhe  blew  up  shortly 

afterward. 


Fio.  79.— Sir  Peter  Parker. 
In  this  obstinate  engagement  the  Americans  fought  with  great  gallantry.  Th 
loss  of  he  British  waf  64  killed  and  161  wounded.  The  garrison  lost  ten  men 
k  led  and  twenty-two  wounded.  Although  the  Americans  were  raw  troops  yet 
they  behaved  with  the  steady  intrepidity  of  veterans.  In  the  course  of  the  en- 
ga  Jement  the  flag-staff  of  the  fort  was  shot  away ;  but  the  brave  Serjeant  Jasper 
feaped  down  upon  the  beach,  snatched  up  the  flag,  fastened  it  to  a  sponge  staff 
and  while  the  ships  were  incessantly  directing  their  broadsides  upon  the  fort,  he 
mounTed  the  merloa  and  deliberately  replaced  the  flag,  ^^^t  day  Pres  den, 
Rutledge  presented  him  with  a  sword,  as  a  testimony  of  respect  for  his  distin- 
Sed  valor.  Colonel  Moultrie,  and  the  ofllcers  and  troops  on  Sullivan  s  sl- 
Sd  received  the  thanks  of  their  country  for  their  bravery  ;  and  in  honor  of  the 
gali'ant  commander,  the  fort  was  named  Fort  Moultrie. 

The  failure  of  the  attack  on  Charleston  was  of  great  importance  to  the  Ameri- 
can cause,  and  contributed  much  to  the  establishment  of  the  popular  government 
Tl^fr  en  Is  of  congress  triumphed ;  and  numbers  of  them  fondly  imagined  tha 
ieir  fre^lom  was  achieved.  The  diftident  became  bold  :  the  advocates  o  the 
irresistibility  of  British  fleets  and  armies  were  mortified  and  '"l«n<=«'i. •„ ^"J '^JJ 
who  from  interested  motives  had  hitherto  been  loud  in  their  prolessions  ot   loy 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


18: 


line,  aiiL  tlic 

le  jiause  Kaf 

<)l)taiiii'J  thf 

which  began 

lill  seven  in 

ased  on  l)utli 

.vas   ai^rounJ, 

irt  fired  a  few 

ime  her  crew 

the  burning 

Parker,  filled 

ew  up  shortly 


gallantry.  Th 
on  lost  ten  men 
raw  troops,  yet 
urse  of  the  en- 
Serjeant  Jasper 
>  a  sponge  statf, 
ipon  the  fort,  he 
;t  day  President 
L  for  his  distin- 
n  Sullivan's  isl- 
in  honor  of  the 

;e  to  the  Ameri- 
)Iar  government. 
[y  imagined  that 
advocates  of  the 
need ;  and  they 
tfessions  ot  loy 


186 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTOKV 


ally,  begin  to  alter  tlioir  tone.  The  brave  defence  of  Fort  Mouitrie  saved  lie 
soiillu'rn  slates  (roin  the  horrors  of  war  for  several  yi-ars. 

The  jrovernineiit  of  ISoiitli  CaroUna  wisely  took  advantaue  of  the  moment  of 
success  to  conciliate  the  good-will  of  their  oijponents  in  the  province.  Cmniing. 
Iiam  and  other  adherents  of  royal  power,  who  for  a  considerable  lime  had  been 
closely  imprisoned,  on  promising  fidelity  to  their  country,  were  set  at  freedom 
and  restored  to  all  the  privileges  of  citizens.  'I'he  repulse  of  the  Hrilish  fleet  at 
Fort  Moultrie  left  the  Americans  at  liberty  to  turn  their  undivided  force  again.s: 
the  Indians,  who  hud  attacked  the  western  frontier  of  the  southern  states  with 
all  till!  fury  and  carnage  of  savage  warfare. 

In  1775,  when  the  breach  between  Great  Britain  and  her  colonies  was  daily 
becoming  wider,  one  Stuart,  the  agent  employed  in  conducting  the  intercourse 
between  the  British  authorities  and  the  Cherokees  and  Creeks,  used  all  his  in- 
fluence to  attach  the  savages  to  the  royal  cause,  and  to  inspire  them  with  jeal- 
ousy and  hatred  of  the  Americans.  He  found  little  difficulty  in  persuading  them 
that  the  Americans,  without  provocation,  had  taken  up  arms  against  Britain,  and 
were  the  means  of  preventing  them  from  receiving  their  yearly  supplies  of  arms, 
ammunition,  and  clothing  from  the  British  govermnent. 

Moses  Kirkland,  an  inhabitant  of  South  Carolina,  whose  vanity  and  ambition 
had  not  been  sufficiently  gratified  by  his  countrymen,  was  employed  by  Stuart 
and  other  royalists  to  concert  measures  with  General  Gage  for  a  joint  attack, 
by  sea  and  land,  on  the  southern  states,  while  the  savages  should  fall  upon  their 
rear.  Kirkland  was  taksn  on  his  voyage  to  Boston,  his  papers  were  seized,  and 
the  plot  was  fully  discovered.  The  Americans  endeavored  to  conciliate  the 
good-will  of  the  Indians,  but  their  scanty  presents  were  unsatisfactory,  and  the 
savages  resolved  to  take  up  the  hatchet.  Accordingly,  when  the  British  fleet 
under  Sir  Peter  Parker  appeared  in  Charleston  Bay,  the  Cherokees  invaded 
the  western  frontier  of  the  province,  marking  their  course,  as  usual,  with  murder 
and  devastation.  The  speedy  retreat  of  the  British  fleet  left  the  savages  ex- 
posed to  the  vengeance  of  the  Americans,  who,  in  separate  divisions,  entered 
their  country  at  difTerent  points,  from  Virginia  and  Georgia,  defeated  their  war- 
riors, burned  their  villages,  laid  waste  their  corn-fields,  and  rendered  the  Chero- 
kees incapable,  for  the  meantime,  of  giving  the  settlers  further  annoyance. 
Thus,  in  the  south,  the  Americans  at  this  time  triumphed  over  the  arms  both  of 
the  British  and  of  the  Indians. 

Intelligence  of  the  rejection  of  their  second  petition,  and  of  the  cold  indiffer- 
ence observed  toward  Mr.  Penn  by  the  British  government,  reached  congress  in 
November,  and  awakened  a  strong  sensation  throughout  the  provinces.  It  con- 
vinced the  colonists  in  what  light  their  conduct  was  viewed  by  the  British  cab- 
inet, and  what  they  had  to  expect  from  the  parent  state.  It  appeared  obvious 
that  there  was  no  medium  between  unconditional  submission  and  absolute  inde- 
pendence. The  colonists  saw  that  they  must  either  abandon  everything  for 
which  they  had  hitherto  been  contending,  or  assert  their  ireedom  by  force  of 
arms  ;  and  many  of  them  were  struck  with  the  incongruity  of  professing  alle- 
giance to  a  power  which  their  marshalled  battalions  were  opposing  with  all  their 
might. 

That  men  who  had  been  accustomed  to  no  rigorous  subordination,  and  to  few 
restraints,  and  many  of  whom  entertained  enlarged  notions  of  the  extent  of  their 
rights  and  privileges,  should,  without  a  struggle,  submit  to  descend  from  the 
proud  rank  of  freemen  to  what  they  considered  the  degradation  of  slavery — that 
(hey  should  abandon  everything  which  they  held  dear,  and  become  the  crouch- 
ing subjects  of  a  suspected,  despised,  and  oppressed  dependancy  of  the  British 
empire — was  scarcely  to  be  expected.  The  colonists  spurned  the  thought  of 
such  degradation.     Entirely  emancipated  from  the  antiquated  notions  of  prerog 


rie  saved  ll.« 

de  moment  of 
•e.  Cimning- 
iine  had  been 
i!t  at  freedom 
British  fleet  at 
1  ff)rce  against 
■n  states  with 

lies  was  daily 
tie  intercourse 
ised  all  his  in- 
hem  with  jeal- 
jrsuading  them 
ist  Britain,  and 
ipplies  of  arms, 

y  and  ambition 
lyed  by  Stuart 
a  joint  attack, 
i  fall  upon  their 
fete  seized,  and 
conciliate  the 
factory,  and  the 
le  British  fleet 
■rokees  invaded 
aal,  with  murder 
he  savages  ex- 
ivisions,  entered 
eated  their  war- 
lered  the  Chero- 
iher  annoyance. 
,he  arms  both  of 

the  cold  indiffer- 
ched  congress  in 
)vince8.     It  con- 

the  British  cab- 
ippeared  obvious 
nd  absolute  inde- 
n  everything  for 
lorn  by  force  of 

professing  alle- 
jing  with  all  their 

latiou,  and  to  few 
he  extent  of  their 
iescend  from  the 
1  of  slavery — thai 
come  the  crouch- 
iicy  of  the  British 
3d  the  thought  of 
notions  of  prerog 


*«»». 


^  TllH  PICIOKIM'  HISTdllY 

aa-  nu...  pn.iui,.  u,.!  -.ru-.-Mous  m.  i      -  ';''';„'  ..;,•  ,l,i„...      l,ul..pon.U.noo. 

whicl.,  in  the  earlier  SII1.4.-S  ol  "':",^  :„,„„„;  At  f.rst  ii  alunne.!  U.ni.l  an.l 
,,i,„,.l,  was  „ow  ,ua.e  a  .op.,  oi  P".>;';.  ,';,,„„,  ,,,,„„,  which  such  a  course 
,„.„,„,„e  ,„en.  who  ha,l  a  ^^ '';'!;,■■; /;jt,''n,M..pc.,.h.nce  were  hohl  uud  .n 
woui.l  open  helore  .hetn  H..t  '''',  ^-^^  ^l  '.i.'ri..-'  .he  subject  .t.ore  la.».  tar  to 
.lela,.«al.Ie  ;  they  lalu.re,  >";'-^^"'  >  '''  '  .i"  ^u^rents  daily  iucrease.l  ;  and 
a,,  liular  ear  au.l  .nind     .he  -;-  -       /  hi.herto   been   hostile   to  a 

su.dl  was  the  posture  ..I- alhurs.  '".'>;;   ,^,  ,„,,,„re.  or  ceased  to  oppose  ,. 
separation  iro.n  Hr.ta...,  b'Hanie  i.e.u      .o  th^^  ^^^^,^j  ,,^^  ^3   ,„„,..re.l 

Thev  lhou«hl  circumstancei-  so   de>perate  'l  ■"    " 

i!;;i  by  the  atten,pt.  and  success  '"-^f    ^   ;-'2^  j^  ,„ived  in  An.erica  (Von. 
At  .ha.  .imc  Thomas  I'a.nc    ^^^^  ''^'  ;  ^^^^^  Sense,  which  had  a 

England,  published  a  pa.t.l.hle.  tn>d  1  .  tU k  ^^  ^^  j^^,^,  ;,  ^^s  widely  c.r- 
,rofi.^ious  miluence  tu  l-'-jl'-f^;'  ^^ut  a.ld  popular  manner  of  writ.ng,  the 
culated  and  eagerly  read       1  o  •>  ^  ^«     'J  .y^[  ,'„i,„i  .^^ay  be  traced, 

extraordinary  eireci  of  this  pun,plleAouihe^pun^^  ^^^   U.e  different  provmces  , 

The  subject  was  discussed  in  a  ^-'^'^'^  ..nnosilion,  and  the  members  ot  con- 
i,  several  i(  them  it  met  -''V""^;;  »,;;'„  Ct  h'^i^espective  constituents 
oress  havinir  received  instructions  on  t  le  poi m  in  m  r  declara- 

^^I'Xtu^y  taken  under  -"-'--"l-l^^n^,"  ,  S's  HaU,  Philadelphia 
tion  of  independence  was  "j;'^"""  ^  >  ^jr  ',0  ,priss  to  Uaft  this  celebrated 
i„r:.eSridr:r:n:rj:£.t.N"^    ^ohen  H.   Uving.ton.  were 


u       «o     JoV.n  Adams.    From  an  Anonymous  American  Porima 

and  safely  of  the  people.  This  ^j'^^  «"°"  JJ  "J^  f?ee  and  independent.  Afte. 
of  Virginia,  declaring  that  the  ;=«  »"  J  °j;\i°  'farther  consideration  was  post- 
^llSbr;^;"  S>:;llt  l/:S^^assed.and  a  co-tee  .«  cho- 


loailers  took 
!  to  till-  pnt)- 
i(lfpf'ii(lfni'('. 
111(1  olili(Hipty 

(mI  timid  and 
iiich  II  coiirsi' 

))old  and  in 
e  familiar  to 
[•reaseil  ;  and 

lioslile  to  a 
1  to  oppose  it 

he   ri'-ndcrt' 

America  from 
which  had  a 
as  widely  cir- 
)f  writing,  tin- 
aced. 

nt  provinces  , 
inbers  of  con- 
re  constituents, 
and  a  declara- 
,  Philadelphia, 
tiiis  celebrated 
vingslon,  were 


trail 

offered  a  prelim 
I  recommendation 
on  the  happinesi 
lution  of  Mr.  Lee 
dependent.  Aflei 
leration  was  post- 
•mmittee  was  cho- 


,,a&^sii*tei*ii*sf«i^®^^^ 


■  i»iiriJ(ii4<£i.lf."  I*-  i/«atese="^-" 


|«IU 


•rm-:  i'Ictokial  iiistokv 


b",,  .  .e  ithi.r  of  the  .lrau«ht.    JHlVr.ou  alw:,vs  «hvc  A.bn.s  rn.\n  "    •-.;^' 
al,l..H.  *,<v.,cate  of  th«  .nea.uro,  u.ul  Mr.  A.l.n.s,  .1  .s  known    «.ts  -  ^  "^^^  'I, 
every  .mportant  co.u.nitt.-e  while  he  re.name.l  in  o.nitre.s.         Mr.    ;^"  «'^^'  • 
L-    lis  bioKTHplur,  Dr.   Franci.,  •' repre.sente.l   with  earnestness  the  te  ■!...«* 
an  1  .merest  if  the  p;o,,le  ..f  New  York  ;  with  U-.i^.r  Sherman.  Henjanun  ^  rank- 
h.ioirrdlsiaLl  Thomas  .lelTerson,  his  patriotism  in  tliat  conseerate.l  as- 

nernhlv  was  imiversaliv  acknowledjjed."  i   ■       . 

n  [s  led  n  t.on  was  signe.l  bv  each  ot'  the  members  ol  congress,  and  by  it 
,he  .  irt  'e  •  te,l  States  of  North  America  separated  themselves  lor  ever  Iron, 
e  vn  of  Great  llri.ain,  and  declared  themselves  an  independent  people 
•i-his  measure  entirely  altered  the  aspect  of  the  contest  and  gave  a  dear  a 
.iefmite  view  of  the  point  at  issue  between  the  contending  parlies  \\  e  no 
Wer  see  c.I..ists  V.,.nplaininft  and  petitioning  with  arms  m  their  hands  and 
V  gormisly  res  sting  an  alithorit.v  which  they  did  not  disavow  ;  but  a  pe.,ple  as- 
»ert    g   Hei    independence,  and  iepelling  the  aggressions  ot  an  invading  foe 


CHAPTER  V. 

We  lormerlv  left  General  Howe  at  Halifax,  arid  General  Washington  on  his 
wa^t.  Now  York,  where  he  soon  arrived  with  his  army.  In  'hat  c.ty  the 
ZZl  between  the  friends  of  British  domination  an.l  ol  American  treedom  had 
been  mo  e  ^Imibtful  than  in  anv  other  .,narter.  lint  by  superior  numbers  ad 
mor  .  dvr  ng  ac  ivitv,  the  Americans  had  gained  the  ascendency.     On  his  arr,. 

a7nt^he  city  General  Washiimton  endeavore.l  to  put  it  into  a  posture  of  do- 
f^cea'tdiV  the  British,  by  means  of  theu  tleet,  had  the  coimnand  of  the  wa- 

e  sliV  a t^Bpted  u'  obstruct  .he  navigation  of  the  East  and  North  rivers,  by 
.ink!  g  ve  sStn  the  channels.  He  also  raised  fortifications  at  New  York  and 
on  Long  Island,  and  made  every  preparation  in  his  power  for  givtng  the  British 

"'S;>:eSX:;™!:;d  some  time  at  Halilax ;  but  after  ^be  recovery  of  hi, 
troons  from  the  fatigue  and  sickness  occasioned  by  the  blockade  of  Boston,  he 
eZ  ked     a  led,  o  t'he  southward,  and  on  the  2d  of  July   anded,  without  oppo- 
Bhi  n   on  Sm  en  Island,  which  lies  on  the  cast  of  New  Jersey,  and  is  separa- 
tid  f mm  Long  Island  by  a  channel  called  the  Narrows.     His  army  amounted  to 
qIoO  me       an  I  his  brmher,  Lord  Howe,  commau.ler  of  the  British  fleet,  who 
had  touch   1  at  Halifax  expecting  to  find  Inm  there,  arrived  soon  afterward   wuh 
a  reinforcement  of  about  20,000  men   from   Britain.      Thus  General  Howe  had 
S/ec—  d  of  nearly  30,000  troops,  for  the  purpose  of  subjugating  the  Amen- 
ct  -Zie  Va  more-form'idable  folce  than  had  ever  before  visited  those  shores^ 
General  Was'hingum  was  ill  prepared  to  n.eet  such  a  power M  '^'"y-     «  «.f  J^J 
consisted  of  about  9.000  men.  many  ol   whom  were  ill-armed  and  about  2,000 
more  without  any  arms  at  all ;  but  new  levies  were  daily  coming  m. 

OnTis  arrival!  Lord  Howe,  by  a  rtag,  sent  ashore  to  Amboy  a  circular  letter 
.0  Several"  the  bte  royal  gmernors.'and  a  declaration  mentioning  the  powe 
with  whi  h  he  and  his  brother  the  general  were  invested,  and  desiring  their 
nublic^don  These  papers  General  Washington  transmitted  to  congress  who 
£re^  t  em  to  be  pill.l'ished  in  the  newspapers  that  the  V^^^g^;^ 
might  be  apprized  of  the  nature  and  extent  ot  the  powers  of  these  commission 


fernon  to  liav« 
It  of  l)i'iii;j  tilt) 
III  iiicinlxr  (I 
l.iviiiy.stoii," 
tlif  rt'cliiiy* 
Ijaiiiiii  Fnink- 
lisecralt'd  as- 

ss,  ami  by  ii 
J  for  over  trom 
Jit  people, 
le  :i  clear  and 
lies.  We  no 
[ir  liaiids,  and 
t  a  people  as- 
adiiiii  foe 


iiigton  on  his 
1  that  city  iht 
»  freedoin  had 
r  numbers  and 
On  his  arri- 
postiire  of  de- 
md  of  tlie  \va- 
orth  rivers,  by 
New  York  and 
ing  the  British 

ecovery  of  \u» 
of  Boston,  lie 
,  without  oppo- 
and  is  separa- 
ly  amounted  to 
tish  fleet,  who 
ifterward,  with 
eral  Howe  )iad 
ing  the  Ameri- 
d  those  shores, 
ny.  His  force 
d  about  2,000 
in. 

circular  letter 
ing  the  powers 
desiring  their 
congress,  who 
IS  they  alleged, 
)e  commission- 


~-  jj!^-&^if^^^&iM!''t.ii'^'y&^iSiilsili'i 


,5a  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

„,,  wUh  -.Le  expect.,io„  of  whom  i.  had  been  »'«"f '"^  '?  ~7vJ,th™ 
Iheni  General  Howe  wished  to  open  a  correspo.iilence  with  «="«"'  ™.'». 
S:  but  without  aeknowleJgiHB  his  official  'hatacte,  .3  c— ,„le,^m^ch,e,  of 
the  Amelican  armies  1  and  for  this  purpose  he  ""' " 'f "  "^  !*!" „,"' ,;,  ,„ 
essed  "George  Washingto.,  Esquire."  That  letter  the  g™«»  "'' l"^  '° 
receive,  because  it  was  no.  addressed  .0  htn,  m  h.s  ofe|.l  character^  ^.  A  sec 

il^^ral'rc■liS^:^c*;t^a:tern^&^^^^^^ 

!riMrwtiEr;,:::e?iii="rd =.t:^^^^^ 
3erlrrdeSr;mSi.i'a:r^^^^^ 

by  jealousies,  prejudices,  and  animosities. 

This  raw  and  ill-armed  multitude  was  opposed  to  ^OjO^J  "j,'"??!^^ '"^^  ^..^^ 
them  veterans,  all  of  them  excellently  equipped  and  provided  with  ^  fine  ^J^^ 
of  aniUerv  The  Americans  soon  found  that  all  their  endeavors  to  obstruct  the 
ISiE  of  the'rivers  were  ineffectual ;  for  several  Bm.sh  ships  «  J-r  P-  d 
up  the  North  river,  without  receiving  any  considerable  damage  from  a  heavy 

^The"tmS^rrwaf  plX-^^^^^^^^  ^ork,  and  partly  on  Long 

Isllnd.  ^GerraJoreeL  comLnded'in  the  latter  place  ^but  that  o^^^^^^^^ 
tnkpn  ill   General  Sullivan  was  appointed  m  his  room.     General  wowe,  navu  g 
coUected  Srtroops  on  Staten  Island,  and  finding  himself  sufficiently  strong  to 
commence  active'operations.  on  the  22d  of  August  <=--«V tw nHTrech    a^^^^^ 
opposition,  and  landed  on  Long  Island,  between  two  small  towns,  Utrecht 

""The  American  division  on  the  island,  about  1  ^0^0  strong  occupied  a  fon^^^^^ 
camo  at  Brooklyn,  on  a  peninsula,  opposite  New  York.     Their  right  Aank  ./as 
cre^red  by  a  m«8h,  which  extended^io  the  East  river  near  M.U  Creek  ;  their 
leftby  an  eCw  of  the  river  named  Wallabout  Bay      Across  the  peninsula, 
frnm  Mill  creek  to  Wallabout  Bay,  the  Americans  had  thrown  up  entrench- 
mel    luSd  by'^arauis  o^  felleJtrees  with  their  tops  t-ned  ou^ard  and 
flanked  by  strong  redoubts.      In  their  rear  was  the   East  river,  about  1  300 
yards  wide,  separating  them  from  New  York.     In  front  of  the  fof  ^^d  ^amp 
S;  at  some  distance  from  it.  a  woody  ridge  obhquely  intersected  the  i^nd 
and  f  rough  that  ridge  there  are  passages  by  three  different  defi  es  .  »"«  at  he 
southern  Ixtremity  near  the  Narrows;  another  -^«"»  ^  Son  the  Bedford 
bush  road ;  and  a  third  nenr  the  northeast  extremity  of  the  hills  «"  J^e  Bed^ra 
road      Those  defiles  General  Greene  had  carefully  exammed;  and  as  it  was 
evident  IvU  the  British  army  must  debark  on  the  farther  side  of  the  ridge,  he 
Je^Sd  to  dispute  the  passage  of  the  defiles.   General  Sullivan,  who  succeeded 
o  tt  colanS  on  the^llnesl  of  General  Gree.e,  was  ijot  equal^^  sensib      of 
.he  importance  of  those  passes.     On  the  landmg  of  the  British  however,  he 
«ont  strone  detachments  to  guard  the  passes  near  the  Narrows,  and  on  the  Hat- 
bu  I  r3  but  the  more  diLnt  pass 'he  did  not  duly  attend  to.  merely  sendmg 
an  officer  with  a  party  to  observe  it,  and  give  notice  if  the  enemy  should  appear 


1  and  disarm 
al  Washing- 
r-in-chiet'  of 
w  York,  ad' 
I  reO'sed  to 
ter.     A  sec- 
&c."     Thai 
inner  toward 
iroved  of  the 
none  of  their 
ss  addressed 
ut  a  point  of 
tive  warfare, 
ily,  indeed,  it 
sn  expected  ; 
ed  in  camp, 
ng  than  their 
d  to  that  sub- 
iciency  of  an 
ere  distracted 

3ps,  many  of 
ti  a  fine  tram 
0  obstruct  the 
of  war  passed 
from  a  heavy 

irtly  on  Long 
officer  being 
Howe,  having 
jntly  strong  to 
rrows  without 
I,  Utrecht  and 

pied  a  fortified 
ight  flank  ./as 

Creek;  their 
the  peninsula, 

up  entrench- 
[  outward,  and 
r,  about  1,300 
fortified  camp, 
ted  the  island ; 
BS  :  one  at  the 
Ic,  on  the  Flat- 
on  the  Bedford 
and  as  it  was 
f  the  ridge,  he 
who  succeeded 
Ily  sensible  of 
ih,  however,  he 
nd  on  the  Flat- 
merely  sending 
f  should  appear 


Jfsi;;.:;'-iaf:£ii»«aU'!t*5.'-- 


19^  THE   PICTORIAL   HIS  in 

there      That  was  no  aaequate  precaution  for  the  securiiy  of  le  pass  ;  and  the 
officer  appointed  to  watch  it  discharged  his  duty  in  the  n;ost  slovenly  manner. 

GenS  Howe  soon  learned  tha^  there  would  be  little  difficulty  m  .narchms 

hv  the  most  distant  defile,  and  turning  the  left  of  the  Americans. 

^It  hal    past  two  o'clock,  passing  clouds  obscured  the  harvest-moon;   the 

„i.t   waxed  gloomy,  and  the  air  chill.     Suddenly,  a  sharp  report  of  musketry. 

thedSion  of  Yellow  Hook,  alarmed  the  American  camp.     It  was  a  start- 

ni  sou  d  in"he  stillness  of  the  morning,  and  the  troops  sprang  to  their  arms, 

die  r  i  /e  si  noned  each  man  to  his  duty.     Many  a  brave  lad  awoke  from 

Irci^^s  of  peaceful  home,  of  the  father-house,  and  its  loved  inmates,  where,  in 

res^nce  of  the  gkd  cro^s,  the  warlike  sounds  that  lulled  him  to  sleep  seemed 

but  as  dri-notL,  and   he  danger  he  anticipated  one  that  was  passed      He 

^ad  ob  yerthe  wa'tchward  of  lil?erty,  which  called  him  to  the  hardships  ol  war  ; 

but  his  heart  told  him  life  was  sweet,  and  his  cottage  home  a  paradise.        he 

llrL  ratUed  in  his  ear,  and  aroused  him  to  the  stern  reality  he  r.red  not, 

'"  E^f  thTalarm  ceased  beating,  the  men  had  seized  their  mu.skets.  Word  had 
been  passed  fmm  the  remote  pickets  on  the  coast,  that  the  enemy  were  ap- 
orchTcr  I  o7  Stirling  was  instantly  directed  by  General  Putnam  to  march 
wUhth^'two  nearest  reii.nents  to  their  nncounter.  These  proved  to  be  the 
PennsvlvanTa  and  Maryland  troops,  under  Colonels  Haslet  and  Smallwood ; 
w^whom  proceed  ,.g  over  the  uneven  ground  in  the  direction  of  the  attack,  he 
f^;  .7hir;ff  on  the  r'oad  to  the  Narrows,  toward  'jaybrcak  and  soon  me  Cob^ 
nel  Altee  with  his  Delaware  regiment,  retiring  before  the  »""«^»; J'^  'Jj 
mckets  to  whose  aid  they  had  advanced.  Stationing  this  officer  on  the  left  of 
The  ro^d  by  which  the  en'emy  were  approaching.  Lord  Surhng  formed  Ins  two 
regiments  along  an  advantageous  ridge,  ascending  fro.n  the  road  to  a  pie^e  ot 
wSon  the  top  of  a  hill.  The  British  were  received  with  two  or  three  warm 
Zds  by  the  Delaware^,  who,  as  their  ground  became  m.tenable,  withdrew  to 
a  wood  on  Lord  Stirling's  left,  where  they  formed.  ,         .  ,  •        . 

The  assailants,  now  in  sight,  proved  to  be  two  brigades,  of  four  regim^^^^^^ 
each,  under  the  command  of  General  Grant  They  proceeded  to  occupy  the 
elevation  opposite  Lord  Stirling,  at  a  distance  of  throe  hundred  yards.  Their  l.pht 
ro^ps  caml^'one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  nearer,  with  a  view  o  gam  possess  on 
of  a  superior  eminence  on  his  left.  As  they  marched  up  this  lull  Jey  were 
met  by  the  deadly  fire  of  Kichline's  rifle  corps,  who  had  just  reached  the  ^ound 
r  im^e  to  protect  this  important  point,  and  who  mowed  them  down  as  fast  a, 
they  appeared.  The  Americans  brought  up  two  field-pieces  to  oppose  the  ten 
of  Lfr^.pponent8.  A  sharp  cannonade  ensued  and  was  vigorously  sustamed 
on  both  sides,  to  a  late  hour  ;  until  when  let  us  shift  the  scene. 

While  the  Americans  were  occupied,  as  we  have  seen,  on  .^^e  previous  even- 
xng,  there  was,  about  dusk,  an  unusual  stir  among  the  troops  in  the  B"»«h  ngh 
wfng.  The  regiments  already  at  Flatlands,  under  Earl  Percy,  ^ere  joined  arf 
nightfall  by  those  under  Lord  Cornwallis  and  Genera  Clinton,  who  left  the 
He.  ans  masters  at  Flatbush.  The  dark  forms  of  the  tall  soldiery,  the  play  of 
their  muskets  in  the  moonlight,  the  whispered  order  and  firm  tread  •'<  d.sciphne. 
all  announced  some  sudden  or  adventurous  movement.  One  by  »"«  J^^  comp.. 
nies  filed  off  in  the  direction  of  New  Lots,  and  before  night  was  far  advanced 
Flatlands  was  deserted.  As  they  moved  farther  and  f'^'-^^^^  "HfriSsh  ..om 
American  lines,  the  furrows  became  relaxed  on  the  brows  of  «he  »  J>«1;  •"^ 
manders,  and  toward  daybreak,  half  a  triumph  already  gleamed  m  the  eye  of 

^'kTortW  afterdavlight"the  Hessians  at  Flatbush  opened  a  moderate  c  anno... 
tde  upor' General  Sullivan,  wh^  with  a  etrong  detachment,  had  advanced  on  thj 


«i«n 


.  II 

Re 


# 


;  and  thn 
manner, 
marching 

loon  ;  the 
musketry, 
IS  a  start- 
heir  arms, 
wolie  from 
where,  in 
ep  seemed 
ssed.  He 
ps  of  war ; 
lise.  '"^he 
'■ired  not, 

Word  had 
<f  were  ap- 
fi  to  march 
d  to  be  the 
mallwood ; 
i  attack,  he 

met  Colo- 
i,  with  the 
the  left  of 
led  his  two 

a  piece  of 
hree  warm 
vithdrew  to 

regiments 
occupy  the 
Their  light 
possession 
they  were 
I  the  ground 
n  as  fast  as 
jose  the  ten 
[y  sustained 

svious  even- 
British  right 
jre  joined  at 
who  left  the 
the  play  of 
)f  discipline, 
i  the  compii- 
ir  advaiiced, 
ay  from  the 
British  (lom- 
n  the  eye  of 

rato  cannon* 
anced  on  tbl 


EXPLANATIONS. 

A  Putnam'iCainp.  c  Ixml  Peiry,  ?  nl«M»ftte!l6«i. 

fl.  Bnlisli  liiruli'il  Aui!  'A>   f  <•  (i.-ii.  Clint.MV  , 

6  Col.  Ilaiiils  rcg'l  v.ciiini,'.  F  (Jen.  De  Ilpiaier,  iiM>rnln« «>»< 

C  (it'll   fJi^int.  mill  riinir  ■.Till.  O  CJnn  Sullivan,  dii 

/>  l/inl  Hurling,  ilii    //CJpii.  Clinton,  tin  at  8  o'clock. 

d  Col  Aili'c,  ilo    /Ofii   Piillivansiirrenilfirfd,  lo.  atuo'clce* 

dd  Klrhlinn'9  rifle   corns.  K  Ixjril  Cornwallia,     I  „<,on  Wth. 

E  Brilisli,  evening  of  *ih.  L  Lord  Stirling,         i 


,*s:^'i*T''^'.)«*-fi*i^s^^^f?'*"''** 


196  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

direct  road  from  Brooklyn  thither,  and  now  occupied  the  breastworks  thrown  up 
by  General  Greene,  for  the  defence  of  this  impe'tant  pass     Colonels  Mdea  and 
Williams  were  strongly  posted  on  the  Bedford  road     At  ha  f  past  eight.  Count 
Donop  was  detached  to  attack  the  hill,  by  General  De  Heister.  who  soon  fol- 
lowed with  the  centre  of  the  army.  ,      .        •  .„„j  «,« 
With  levelled  pieces  and  eyes  fixed  on  the  enemy,  the  Americans  stood  firm 
on  their  vantage  ground,  nerved  foi  the  assault,  and  prepared  to  enact  a  socond 
drama  of  Bunker's  Hill.     From  behind  breastwork  and  tree,  soldier  and  rifle- 
man  looked  down  upon  the  ascending  foe  with  a  feeling  of  conscious  security, 
when  lo  !  a  report  of  artillery,  in  the  rea   of  their  left,  flew  with  Us  own  velocity 
alo.iK  the  line      A  second  volley  revealed  to  them,  with  fearful  truth,  that  the 
enemy  had  turned  their  left  flank,  and  placeJ  them  between  two  fires.     Horror. 
dismay,  confusion,  ensued !     The  advancing  Hessians  were  no  longer  faced 
by  the  whole  band  stationed  to  oppose  them ;  and  vain  the  efl-orts  ol    Gen- 
eral   Sullivan   to    rally  the   dispersing   continentals,  who  hastened   to   regain 
the  camp,  while  there  yet  was  time.      It  was.  alas,  too  late !     As  regiment 
after  regiment  emerged  from   the   wood,  they  encountered  the   bayonets   ot 
the  British,  and  all  retreat  was  cut  off.     Driven  back  into  the  forest,  after  des- 
perate eflbrts  to  cleave  their  way  through  the  close  ranks  of  the  enemy    hey 
were  met  by  the  Hessians,  a  part  of  whom  were  at  the  same  time  detached  tow- 
ard  Bedford,  in  which  quarter  the  cannon  of  Clinton  announced  that  he  also  was 
attacking  the  American  rear.     The  British  pushed  their  line  beyond  the  F  at- 
bush  road,  and  when  our  brave  troops   found  their  only  outlet  was  through  the 
3nemv  skirmish  after  skirmish  ensued  in  which  they  displayed  signal  bravery. 
Manv  forced  their  way  through  the   camp,  some  escaped  into  the  woods,  and 
many  were  slain.    Colonel  Parry  was  shot  through  the  head  while  encouraging 

'cTn"the  reader  imagine  the  disastrous  consequences  of  this  surprise  to  the 
Americans,  when,  hemmed  in  by  the  surpassing  numbers  and  co-operating  win^s 
of  the  British,  they  saw  inevitable  death  or  capture  on  every  side!  Here,  stri- 
king again  through  the  wood,  and  lured  by  an  enticing  path  which  promised 
safety  they  rushed  from  its  shelter  upon  the  drawn  sabres  of  the  enemy ;  there, 
Siring  to  Us  recesses  before  a  superior  force,  they  fell  upon  the  levelled  mus- 
kets of  the  Hessians ;  bullets  and  balls  sought  victims  in  every  direction  ;  and 
many  a  brave  soldier  sank  to  die  beneath  the  tall  forest  tree  offering  up  with 
his  parting  breath,  a  prayer  for  his  country  consecrated  by  his  life-blood. 

Against  the  hottest  of  the  enemy's  fire.  General  Sullivan,  on  the  heights  above 
Flatbush.  made  a  brave  resistance  for  three  hours.  Here  the  slaughter  was 
♦hickest  on  the  side  of  the  assailants.  Fairly  covered  by  the  imperfect  en- 
trenchment.  the  Americans  poured  many  a  deadly  volley  upon  the  approaching 

"having  Generals  Clinton  and  Percy  to  intercept  the  Americans  in  this  qiiar- 
ter  Lord  Cornwallis  proceeded  toward  the  scene  of  General  Grants  engage- 
ment with  Lord  Stirling.  We  left  this  gallant  officer  bravely  opposing  a  supe- 
rior force.  He  continued  the  resistance  until  eleven  o'clock,  when,  hearing  a 
«lwrn  firin.r  in  the  direction  of  Brooklyn,  it  flashed  upon  him  thai  the  British 
were%e"t"ng  between  him  and  the  American  lines.  Discovering  tne  position  ol 
Lord  Cornwallis.  ho  instantly  saw  that  unless  they  forded  the  "eek  near  he 
Yellow  Mills,  the  troops  under  him  must  all  become  prisoners.  I  he  reader 
will  see  that  he  had  some  distance  to  gain  before  this  could  be  effected  Hasten- 
ing  back,  he  found  the  enemy  much  stronger  than  he  anticipated  J /"^  "^^^ 
main  body  might  escape,  he  determined  in  person  to  attack  Lord  Cornwallis, 
who  was^p™sted  at  a  house  near  the  upper  mill.  This  movement  he  performed 
with  the  utmost  gallantry,  leading  half  of  Smallwood's  regiment  five  or  six  sev. 


OF  TIIK  AMKKICAN  HKVOLHTION. 


197 


irowii  up 
lilea  and 
lit,  Coiml 
soon  fol- 

tood  firm 
a  second 
and  rifle- 
security, 
1  velocity 
,  that  the 
Horror, 
^er  faced 
of  Cen- 
to  regain 
regiment 
oneta   of 
ifter  des- 
einy,  they 
ched  tow- 
i  also  was 
the  Flat- 
irough  the 
,1  bravery, 
^oods,  and 
icouraging 

rise  to  the 
ting  wings 
Here,  stri- 
promised 
ny ;  there, 
slled  mus- 
ction  ;  and 
rig  up  with 
)od. 

ights  above 
Lighter  was 
perfect  en- 
pproaching 

I  this  quar- 
t's engage- 
ing  a  supe- 
,  hearing  a 
the  British 

position  oi 
k  near  the 
rhe  reader 
.  Hasten- 
nd,  that  his 
Cornwallis, 
I  performed 

or  six  sev- 


en! times  to  the  charge,  and  nearly  dislo.lsring  the  Urilisli  commander,  who,  but 
for  the  arrival  of  large  n'ii.forcemenis,  would  have  been  driven  Irom  his  station. 
This  b;in.l  of  four  iiim.lred,  coin;>os.>d,  say  the   British  accounts   ol  y.mtliN  the 
flower  of  ;he  best  families  in  Maryland,  sustained  severe  loss       Hut  the  object 
was  attained,  and  the  regiments,  whose  retreat  it  was  .lesigned  to  favor,  eflected 
their  escape  over  marsh  and  creek,  with  tiie  loss  of  a  single  man  drowned.     In 
his  official  report,  Lord  Howe  sneaks  of  numbers   who  perished  m  crossing  the 
inlet.     But  this  is  incorrect.     The  self-devoted  heroes,  of  this  exploit  were  sur- 
rounded, and  made  prisoners  of  war.  ,    .    ,       ,  •       ,  u 
We  may  readily  conceive  with  what  feelings  their  brethren  in  the  camp  he 
held  the  undeserved  ill  fortune  of  the  troops  engaged   in  the  action.     General 
Putnam,  a  warrior  of  the  true  stamp,  constrained  to  remain  within  the  fortihca- 
tions,  and  so  little  prepared  for  the  events  of  the  day,  as  to  be  only  able    where 
the  enemv  appeared,  to  detach  troops  to  meet  them,  saw  with  dismay  tlie  ma- 
n.euv^e  J\nc\\  ma.le  them  masters  of  the  lield.     His  efi-or-s  had  all  along  been 
directed  to  General  Grant's  motions.     For  the  defence  m  Iront,  he  relied  on 
General  Sullivan  to  provide,  and  great  was  his  surprise,  on  seeing  the   enemy 
turn  that  officer's  flat.k.     As  the  engagement  between  Lord  Stir  ing  and  General 
(irant  grew  warmer,  his  attention   was  attracted  by  the  broadside  which  the 
British  frigate  lloebuck  opened  upon  the  Hedhook  battery  in  his  rear.      I  oo  late 
aware  of  his  mistake,  he  was  compelled  to  await  the  issue. 

At  this  juncture.  General  Washington  reached  the  lines,  and  beheld,  with  in- 
finite grief,  the  discomfiture  of  his  beloved  troops.  Wringing  his  hands,  he  is 
said  when  he  saw  no  aid  could  reach  them,  to  have  given  vent  to  the  keenest 
anuuish.  From  the  height  he  stood  upon,  the  movements  ot  both  parties  were 
reveale.l  to  him.  Here,  was  seen  Lord  Stirling,  gallantly  attacking  Cornwalhs; 
there,  a  troop  of  Americans,  escaping  with  thinned  numbers  through  the  British 
ranks,  were  pursued  to  the  very  entrenchments.  By  the  creek,  soldiers  plunging 
into  the  unknown  depths  of  its  waters,  or  struggling  through  the  miry  bog,  were 
fired  upon  by  the  foe  ;  toward  Flatbush,  the  Hessians  and  British  were  com- 
binincT  to  enfold,  in  a  still  narrower  circle,  the  few  and  undaunted  contmentals_ 

Lest  the  foregoing  imperfect  description  should  have  left  obscure  some  of  the 
details  of  this  aff-air,  let  us  briefly  recapitulate  its  successive  disasters.     We 
have  supposed  the  reader  to  be,  where  all  would  have  chosen  to  stand  on  tha 
occasion,  on  the  American  side.     A  glance  at  the  motions  of  the   British,  will 
show  how  admirably  their  manoeuvres  were  planned  anu  executed.      1  he  success 
of  the  concerted  movement  was  insured  by  the  unforeseen  malady  of  General 
Greene      All  the  passes  to  Brooklyn  were  defended,  save  one  ;  and  it  was  by 
this  that  the  troops,  which  decided  the  fortunes  of  the  day,  and  were  the  same 
ve  left  filing  off"  from  Flatland  to  New-Lots,  on  the  previous  night,  turned  the 
American  flank.     The  road  from  Jamaica  to  Bedford  was  left  unprotected  ;  the 
«nemy  early  ascertained  this  fact;  and,  to  enable  thein  to  profit  by  our  neglect 
General  Grant's  advance,  which  was  a  diversion,  had  been  devised       The  fleet 
ind  General  de  Heister  co-operated  with  him  in  this  manffiuvre.     General  fut- 
.lam,  taking  this  feint  for  a  bonafide  attack,  was  deceived  ;  and  the   Americans 
were  entrapped  by  forces  superior  in  discipline,  in  tactics,  in  numbers  in  good 
fortune,  but  not  in  courage  ;  for  though  eleven  hundred  were  either  killed  or  ta- 
ken, near  ftnir  thousand  fought  their  way  back  to  the  camp. 

To  tlie  absence  of  General  Greene,  who  had  studied,  and  would  doubtless 
nave  guarded,  all  the  approaches  to  the  camp,  and  to  the  want  of  a  general  com- 
manding officer  throughout  the  day,  may  this  disaster  be  attributed.  Genera. 
Putnam  could  not  leave  his  lines,  and  the  double  care  of  New  York  and  Long 
Island  devolved  upon  the  commander-in-chief.  General  WoodhuU,  who  nad 
been  otdeied  to  gucr*  the  road  from  Bedford  to  Jamaica,  with  the  Long  Isln^J 


,,,i^sl^ii*fea*?®s£i^sJ; 


19» 


THE    PI'JTORIAJ-    HISTORY 


mililia,  remained  at  Jamaica.  The  ncgU-cl  which  lost  us  the  Jay,  -Josl  him  h.8 
life.  Riding  home,  after  iUsliamhiisi  ilie  volunteers  under  his  comn.and.  he  wa« 
captured  by  the  British,  and  iiiicdialoly  cut  to  pieces,  on  his  refusing  to  say 

'  God  save  the  king." 

Impartiality  must  award  high  praise,  on  this  occasion,  to  the  bravery  of  the 
enemy's  troops,  who  followed  so  hotly  in  pursuit,  thai  they  were  with  difficulty 
withheld  from  attacking  tlio  American  trenches.     At  night,  the  patriots  within 
them  told  their  missing  brethren  ;  and  when  their  loss  became  known,  and  uiv 
.^ertainty  veiled  the  fate  of  the  absent  ones,  gloom  and  despondency  pervaded 
he   camp.     The  victorious   Hritish,  on  the   contrary,  hastened  to  secure   the 
/round  they  had  gained,  and  Hushed  with  victory,  passed  the  night  in  exultation. 
On  the  twenty-eighth,  a  violent  rain  kept  the  two  armies  in  their  respective 
mcampments.     That  night  the  enemy  broke  ground  within  about  six  hundred 
v-ards  of  Fort  Greene,  and  on  the  following  day  were  busily  engaged  in  throwing 
up  entrenchments.     Their  main  force  was  advancing,  by  slow  but  sure  approach- 
es, to  besiege  the   American  fortifications,  and  their  superior  artillery   would 
doubtless  soon  silence  our  batteries.     The  advanced  sentinel  of  the  British  army 
was  surprised,  on  the  morning  of  the  thirtieth,  by  the  unwonted  stillness  within 
the  American  lines.     Calling  a  comrade  or  two  around  him,  they  proceeded  to 
reconnoitre.     Emboldened  by  the  silence,  they  crept  near  the  embankment,  and 
cautiously  peeping  into  our  camp,  perceived  not  a  vestige  of  the  army  to  whose 
challenges  they  had  listened  the  night  before.     The  alarm  was  given,  and  the 
party  who  first  rushed  in,  to  take  possession  of  the  works,  saw  in  the  midstream, 
out  of  gun-shot,  and  filled  with  well-pleased  Americans,  the  last  of  the  barges 
which  had  borne  their  comrades  across  the  waters  that  night.     Beyond  it,  iii  a 
small  boat,  there  sat  an  American  officer,  of  calm  and  dignified  mien.     On  his 
pale  countenance  the  anxious  muscles  were  relaxing  into  a  heavenly  smde. 
This  bark  bore  Cesar  and  his  fortunes ;  and  a  prayer  seemed  to  escape  the  lips 
of  Washington,  as  a  glance  at  the  distant  shore  told  him  the  American  army  was 
beyond  the  reach  of  danger. 

Nine  thousand  men  with  all  their  stores  and  ammunitions,  crossed  the  hast 
river  during  the  night,  unperceived  by  the  enemy.  For  four-and-twenty  hours 
previous,  the  commander-in-chief  had  not  left  the  saddle.  The  immediate  em- 
barcation  of  the  troops  was  under  the  direction  of  General  McDougall,  to  whose 
vigilant  activity  high  praise  is  due. 

The  raw  troops  of  the  Americans  were  easily  affected  by  a  check  ;  and  then 
spirits  were  much  depressed  by  the  defeat  on  Long  Island  ;  which  disappointed 
their  hopes,  and  sunk  them  almost  into  a  state  of  despondency.  Indeed,  at  that 
time,  the  army  was  in  an  alarming  condition.  In  ite  zeal  for  liberty,  the  assem- 
bly of  Massachusetts  Bay  had  granted  the  soldiers  the  choice  of  their  own  offi- 
cers ;  and  the  consequence  was,  that  those  troops  were  disorderly.  The  militia 
had  no  conception  of  military  subordination,  were  often  very  inefficient  in  the 
field,  and  frequently  withdrew  from  the  service  at  a  most  critical  moment.  Be- 
sides, the  army  was  agitated  by  provincial  jealousies  and  quarrels.  The  errors 
in  the  constitution  of  the  American  military  force  were  now  evident  to  every 
man  cf  observation  ;  but  it  was  more  easy  to  perceive  than  to  rectify  them. 

After  the  battle  of  Brooklyn,  General  Sullivan  was  despatched,  at  his  own  re 
juest,  to  Philadelphia,  with  a  verbal  communication  from  Lord  Howe  to  congiesi., 
expressing  a  wish  to  hold  a  conference  with  some  of  the  members,  as  private 
genUeinen  of  influence  in  the  country.  General  Sullivan  was  instructed  to  in- 
form Lord  Howe  thai  congress,  being  the  representatives  of  the  free  and  inde- 
nendent  states  of  America,  could  not,  with  propriety,  send  any  of  their  members 
to  confer  with  him  in  their  private  characters  ;  but  that,  ever  desirous  of  estab- 
lishing  pflace  upon  reasonable  terms,  they  would  send  a  committee  of  their  body 


f  i 


UF    THE  AMt:iUC\N  REVOMJTION. 


199 


|t  him  h.i 

he  wat 
|g   to  say 


.0  learn  the  authority  with  which  he  was  invested,  to  hear  what  propositions  he 
i'O'.i  to  make,  ami  to  report.  On  the  tjth  ot' Se[)tenil)er,  they  chose,  as  trteir  com- 
mittee, Benjamin  Fryiiklin,  John  Adams,  and  Eilward  llutledge.  Tliis  commit- 
tee met  Lord  Howe  on  Stateii  Island,  opposite  Ainboy,  on  the  1  lih  of  the  same 
month.  He  receive<l  tliem  politely,  hnt  tiie  conference  proved  fruitless  ;  for  the 
committee  iixplicitly  mformed  his  lordship,  that  neither  they,  nor  the  congress 
which  sent  them,  had  authority  to  treat  in  any  other  capacity  than  as  indrpenilent 
sidti.s.  On  that  sulyect  ].,ord  Howe  had  no  instructions  :  the  conference,  of 
course,  soon  came  to  an  end  ;  and  the  committee  reported  to  congress,  that,  in 
their  opinion.  Lord  Howe's  commission  contained  no  other  powers  than  granting 
pardon,  and  receiving  the  colonies  under  the  protection  of  the  British  govern- 
ment, on  their  submission. 

When  the  hope  of  an  amicable  accommodation  vanished.  General  Howe,  who 
had  already  taken  possession  of  the  islands  lying  in  the  sound  between  New 
Vork,  Long  Island,  and  the  shore  of  Coimecticut,  resumed  his  military  opera- 
tions. The  British  army  was  on  Long  Island,  and  the  Americans  about  New 
York  separated  from  each  other  by  the  East  river.  The  city  of  New  York 
stands  on  the  southeast  end  of  an  island,  anciently  named  Manhattan,  but  now 
called  by  the  name  of  the  city.  The  Hudson,  or  North  river,  bounds  it  on  the 
southwest.  It  is  about  tifteen  miles  long,  and  only  two  broad.  After  a  brisk 
cannonade  between  the  British  batteries  on  Long  Island  and  those  of  the  Ameri- 
cans about  New  York,  General  Howe  resolved  to  transport  nis  army  into  the 
island  of  New  York ;  and  accordingly,  on  the  15th  of  September,  General  Si: 
Henry  Clinton,  with  4,000  men,  crossed  the  East  river  in  flat-bottomed  boats, 
landed  at  Kipp's  bay,  under  cover  of  the  tire  of  some  ship3-«f-war,  and,  without 
opposition,  took  post  on  some  high  ground,  now  called  Bloomingdalc,  about  five 
miles  above  New  York.  The  American  detachment  appointed  to  defend  the 
place,  terrified  by  the  cannonade  of  the  ships,  fled  on  the  approach  of  the  enemy, 
without  firing  a  shot.  General  Washington  met  the  fugitives  on  the  road,  drew 
his  sword,  threatened,  and  endeavored  to  rally  them  :  but  his  efforts  were  inef- 
fectual ;  and  his  attendants  seized  the  reins  of  his  horse,  and  turned  him  away 
from  the  enemy.  The  rest  of  the  British  army  soon  followed  General  Clinton's 
detachment,  and,  after  some  slight  skirmishing,  took  possession  of  New  York,  the 
American  parties  retreating  to  their  main  body  posted  at  Harlem,  about  nine 
miles  distant. 

Some  miles  in  front  of  New  Yi^rk,  the  British  army  formed  a  camp  quite 
across  the  island,  having  its  flanks  covered  by  ships-of-war,  which  the  Ameri- 
cans attempted,  in  vain,  to  destroy  by  fire-ships.  The  American  army,  amounting 
to  about  V23,000  men,  ill-provided,  however,  and  ill-disciplined,  was  posted  on  ad- 
vantageous ground,  opposite  to  it,  but  at  some  distance.  On  the  morning  of  the 
1 6th  of  September,  General  Washington  sent  a  detachment  into  a  wood,  in  front 
of  the  left  of  the  British  line.  General  Howe  despatched  three  companies  of 
light  infantry  to  dislodge  them.  A  sharp  conflict  ensued  ;  each  party  was  rein- 
forced ;  a  severe  firing  was  for  some  time  kept  up ;  and  a  number  of  met  felt 
on  each  side.  The  Americans  maintained  their  ground  ;  and  this  trifling  cir- 
cumstance greatly  raised  their  depressed  spirits.  This  encounter  demonstrated 
the  value  of  brave  and  steady  ofljcers  ;  for  on  the  preceding  day,  at  the  landing 
of  the  British,  the  oflicers  had  been  the  first  who  ran  ;  but,  on  the  present  occa- 
sion, the  officers  did  their  duty,  and  the  troops  steadily  maintained  their  post. 

On  the  21st  of  September,  a  destructive  fire  broke  out  in  New  York,  and  re- 
duced almost  a  fourth  part  of  the  city  to  ashes.  It  began  in  a  dram  shop,  near 
the  river,  about  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  ;  and,  as  everything  was  dry,  and 
the  houses  covered  with  shingles  instead  of  tiles  or  slates,  the  flames  spread 
ranidly,  and  raged  with  great  fury.     Many  of  the  citizens  haid  removed  from  tii* 


•  ^ii^wsSt^a^JteftSsksaiijBa^^ 


OF   THE  AMERICAN  UEVOIAITION. 


201 


IIP; 


Mwn  before  the  entrance  of  the  British,  the  puni]>8  .and  iire-en^'ines  wertt  in  bad 
ordtr,  and  a  brisk  south  win.l  I'ainu'd  the  'lanie.  Two  refjiments  of  soldiers  and 
many  Mien  from  the  fleet  were  eniploj-fd  to  arrest  tlie  proij;ress  of  ihe  di-vour'ng 
element,  and  at  icnirtli  succeeded  in  extinguishing  tlie  fire,  but  not  till  .'thad  con- 
sumed about  1,000  bouses. 

Probably  the  fire  was  occasioned  l)y  the  inconsiderate  revelry  of  the  British 
Bailors,  who  had  been  permitted  to  regale  themselves  on  shore 

The  Americans  were  strongly  posted  toward  the  northern  extremity  of  the 
island  of  New  Vork.  To  attack  them  in  front  was  imadvisable,  but  General 
Howe  resolved  to  make  an  attempt  on  their  rear,  or  to  lu^ii  tiiem  in  on  the  island 
without  the  possibility  of  escape.  For  tliis  purpose,  leaving  three  brigades  of 
Brilisli  and  one  of  Hessian  troops  to  guard  New  York,  early  in  the  morning  of 
the  12tli  of  October  he  embarked  the  ri'st  of  the  army  in  tlat-bottomed  boats,  and, 
in  the  course  of  thj  same  morning,  landed  at  Thog's  Neck,  in  the  county  of  West 
{"liester.  But  finding  that  place  unsuitable  to  his  purpose,  he  again  embarked, 
proceeded  to  the  ironth  of  Hutchinson's  river,  and  landed  there  ;  when  the  troops 
iiad  a  skirmish  with  an  American  party,  and  succeeded  in  dislodging  them  from 
a  narrow  j)ass  of  which  they  had  taken  possession. 

On  the  '21st  of  October,  the  main  body  of  the  British  army  inarched  to  New 
Roclielle,  lying  on  the  sound  which  separates  Long  Island  from  Connecticut 
There  the  second  division  of  foreign  troops,  consisting  of  upward  of  5,000  Hes- 
sians and  Waldeckers,  under  General  Knyphausen,  with  about  '2.000  baggage- 
horses,  which  had  arrived  in  a  fleet  of  seventy-two  sail,  joined  General  Howe. 

General  Washington's  first  intention  was  to  maintain  his  position  on  the  island 
of  New  York  ;  but  General  Lee,  in  whose  military  talents  and  experience  the 
army  had  great  confidence,  on  joining  the  army  after  the  successful  defence  of 
Charleston,  strongly  remonstrated  against  that  resolution,  asserting  that  the  Brit- 
ish, by  a  chain  of  works,  would  completely  hem  in  the  Americans,  and  compel 
ihem  to  surrender,  even  without  a  battle.  His  representations  induced  General 
Washington,  with  the  consent  of  a  council  of  war,  to  alter  his  plan,  and  move 
his  army  from  Kingsbridge  to  White  Plains,  on  the  left  of  his  present  position, 
maintaining  a  line  parallel  to  that  in  which  the  British  army  was  marching,  and 
separated  from  it  by  the  river  Bronx.  On  the  26th  of  October,  the  main  body 
of  the  American  army,  consisting  of  about  17,000  ill-disciplined  men,  took  pos- 
session of  a  slightly  fortified  camp  on  the  cast  side  of  the  Bronx,  which  an  ad- 
vanced detachment  had  been  employed  in  preparing.  A  bend  in  the  river  cov- 
ered their  right  Hank,  and  General  Washington  posted  a  body  of  about  1,600 
men,  ur.der  General  McDougall,  on  a  hill  in  a  line  with  his  right  wing,  but  sep- 
arated from  it  by  the  Bronx. 

The  British  general  having  collected  his  troops,  brought  forward  his  artillery 
with  considerable  difficulty  ;  and  having  got  everything  ready  for  active  opera- 
tions, advanced  in  two  columns  toward  the  American  camp.  He  accompanied 
the  left  column  in  person  ;  General  Clinton  led  the  right.  A  distant  cannonade 
began,  with  little  effect  on  either  side.  The  detachment  on  the  hill,  under  Mc 
Dougall,  attracted  the  notice  of  General  Howe,  and  he  resolved  to  dislodge  it. 
He  ordered  General  Leslie,  with  the  second  brigade  of  British  troops,  and  Col 
onel  Donop,  with  the  Hessian  grenadiers,  on  that  service.  On  their  advance, 
the  American  militia  fled  with  precipitation  ;  but  about  600  regulars,  who  were 
under  McDougall,  vigorously  defended  themselves  for  some  time.  They  were 
compelled,  however,  to  retreat,  and  the  British  took  poR-^ession  of  the  hill ;  but 
they  were  at  too  great  a  distance  to  be  able  to  annoy  any  part  of  the  Ameucar 
line. 

Three  days  afterward,  General  Howe,  having  received  reinforcements  from 
New  York  and  other  quarters,  resolved  to  attack  the  American  camp.     Vi>»  ■ 


!-yf^.v>-il^  ■ 


'i(» 


riii;  I'tcTouiAi.  iiisroKY 


heavy  rain  ilutin^'  iho  wliolf  iiii.'lit  mnlpreil  t'lf  urouriil  so  slippery,  that  in  tti« 
iniiriiiriL;  it  wouM  have  Ikmmi  'cry  liilDcult  to  asiTinl  ilic  aculivitv  of  iho  liills  on 
vvliicli  llic  AiMrricans  were  poxtfd  ,  and  ilicrflori'  it  was  (Iccincil  uiiaiivi.saljle  to 
make  tlie  attempt. 

(leiicral  WashiiiKlon,  apprehensive  of  an  attack,  and  doubtful  of  the  igsiie  on 
the  Kfoimd  whitli  lie  then  occupied,  early  in  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  Novem- 
her  left  his  camp,  retired  toward  North  (Jastlc,  and  took  a  stron);  position  behind 
the  river  Croton.  General  Howe,  perceivinjf  that  it  was  the  purpose  of  his  ad- 
versary to  avoid  a  general  engagement,  and  timling  it  out  of  his  power  to  force  a 
battle,  in  sucn  a  counir)',  uidess  in  very  disa(haiit;ii;('ous  circnnntances,  ceased 
to  pursue  the  Americr.n  army.  He  well  knew  that  soon  it  would  be  almost  dis- 
solved, on  the  expiration  of  the  term  for  which  many  ol' the  men  had  engaged  to 
serve  ;  and  therefore  he  turned  his  attention  to  tlu'  reduction  of  Forts  Washing- 
ton and  Lee  ;  the  first  on  the  island  of  New  York,  not  far  from  Kings!)ridge 
and  the  other  on  the  Jersey  side  of  the  North  river,  nearly  opposite  the  former. 
The  Americans  had  thittered  themselves,  that  by  means  of  these  two  forts  they 
would  be  able  to  command  the  navigation  of  the  North  river  ;  but  thai  had 
proved  an  illusiim,  as  several  British  vessels  had  passed  the  forts  without  sus- 
taining any  injury  from  their  fire.  It  had  been  debated  in  an  American  council 
of  war,  whether,  in  the  present  posture  of  their  afl'airs,  those  two  places  ought  tc 
be  retained.  General  Lee  was  decidedly  of  opinion  that  they  ought  to  be  aban- 
doned ;  but  General  Greene  urged  the  propriety  of  defending  them,  and  his  opin- 
ion prevailed. 


Fic.  88.— Fort  Wacbington. 

Fort  Washington  was  garrisoned  by  about  3,000  men,  under  the  command  ol 
Colonel  Magaw,  who  thought  he  could  defend  the  place  till  about  the  end  of 
December.  On  the  15th  of  November,  General  Sir  William  Howe  summoned 
the  garrison  to  surrender,  on  pain  of  being  put  to  the  sword  ;  but  received  for 
answer,  that  they  would  defend  themselves  to  the  last  extremity.  Early  next 
morning,  a  vigorous  attack  was  begun  by  the  British  and  Hessian  troops,  in  four 
divisions ;  and,  after  a  severe  engagement,  in  which  the  assailants  lost  about 
1,000  men  in  killed  and  wounded.  Colonel  Magaw  was  compelled  to  surrender 
as  prisoners-of-war,  himself  and  his  garrison,  amounting  to  two  thousand  six 
hundred  men,  inclusive  of  the  country  militia.  The  fall  of  Fort  Washington 
was  a  heavy  blow  to  the  infant  republic,  and  greatly  discouraged  its  raw  and 
disorderly  army. 

Fort  Lee,  on  the  Jersey  side  of  the  river,  nearly  opposite  to  Fort  Washington. 


OF  T!U,   AMF.IMCAN  RKVOI.UTION. 


'20^ 


hilt  in  the 
lut  liilN  on 
lvisal)le  10 

le  issne  on 
if  N'ovoin- 
:ioii  behind 

of  his  ad- 
r  to  force  a 
les,  ceased 
ahnosi  di»« 
cnira^od  to 

Washing- 
ingshriilge 
tlie  former. 
)  forts  they 
t  thai  had 
ithout  BUS- 
can  council 
C8  ought  tc 
to  be  aban- 
id  his  ipin- 


:ommand  ol 

the  end  of 

e  summoned 

received  for 

Early  next 

roops,  in  four 

s  lost  about 

to  surrender 

thousand  six 

Washington 

its  raw  and 

Washington. 


.iPXt  ("Hi;  iifi'il  tlu'  aiteiiiiiiM  of  ilic  hriii^h  ^nirriil.  Thai  fori  siiiod  on  :i  (ihp  of 
land,  alioiii  ten  inih's  Ihiiit,  Ivint;  hftwrcii  the  Hudson  ami  the  tlackeiiMacli,  unit 
Kiiuli-*!!  Nei^'hlxnlioKii.  ilariv  mi  the  mnriiiiiL' <>f  the  ISih  of  Noveinhc  r,  Karl 
CiiriiwaMis,  with  a  Hiroiiu'  ileiacliiiieiii.  in  llat-l)olionied  hoais,  passed  through  the 
roiiiiniiiiiciiiioii  heivveeii  the  Kasi  and  Noriii  rivers,  hy  Kiniisliridae,  with  the  in- 
teiilioii  of  ciitling  (itr  the  retreat  of  tlu'  tro<>i>s  in  Fort  Lee.  Ceiieral  (ireene, 
however,  who  coinmaiuied  in  tliose  parts,  being  ap|)rized  of  his  iiioveiiieiit,  hy  a 
rapid  nuircli  escapeii  with  ilie  main  body  of  the  garrison,  but  left  beliind  some 
•traggb'rs,  and  alwo  liis  heavy  ariiiU-ry  and  baagage,  wliuh  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  Uritisli.  Tlius  tiie  Americans  were  ilriviMi,  with  cmisiderable  loss,  from 
the  island  of  New  York,  and  from  the  Jersey,  bank  of  the  .North  river. 

On  llie  I'itli  of  November,  (Jeneral  Washington  had  crossed  the  .North  river 
with  part  of  his  army,  and  taken  a  position  not  far  from  Fort  Lee,  having  lef: 
upward  of  7,000  men  at  North  ('astle,  under  the  command  of  (ieneral  Lee.  At 
that  time,  the  .American  army  was  in  a  critical  and  alarming  .stale.  It  was  com- 
posed chielly  of  militia  and  of  men  engaged  for  a  short  time  only.  The  term  ol 
service  of  imny  of  them  was  about  to  expire  ;  and  the  repiil)lican  military  force 
was  on  the  point  of  dissolution,  in  the  presence  of  a  well-disciplmed,  well-ap- 
pointed, and  victorious  enemy. 

In  thai  threatening  posture  of  pu!)lic  aflairs,  General  Washington  applied  to 
the  state  of  Massachusetts  for  4,000  new  militia;  atid  General  Lee  besought  the 
miliiia  under  his  command  to  remain  for  a  few  days  after  their  term  of  service 
was  expired.  But  the  application  of  the  commander-in-chief  was  not  prom|)tly 
answered ;  and  the  earnest  entreaties  of  General  Lee  were  almost  utterly  disre- 
garded. 

On  the  fall  of  Forts  Washington  and  Lee,  General  Washington,  with  his  little 
army,  of  about  3,000  effective  men,  ill-armed,  worse  clad,  and  almost  without 
tents,  blankets,  or  utensils  for  cooking  their  provisions,  took  a  position  behind 
the  Hackensack.  His  army  consisted  chiefly  of  the  garrison  of  Fort  Lee,  which 
had  been  obliged  to  evacuate  that  place  with  so  much  precipitation  as  to  leave 
behind  them  the  t*its  and  most  of  the  articles  of  comfort  and  accominodation  in 
(heir  possession.  But  although  General  Washington  made  a  show  of  resistance 
bv  occupying  the  line  of  the  Hackensack,  yet  he  was  sensible  of  his  inability 
to  dispute  the  passage  of  that  river  ;  he  therefore  retreated  to  Newark.  There 
he  remained  some  days,  making  the  most  earnest  applications  in  every  ipiarter 
for  reiiiforcemtnts,  and  pressing  General  Lee  to  hasten  his  march  to  the  south- 
ward and  join  him. 

On  the  advance  of  Earl  Cornwallis,  General  Washington  abandoned  Newark, 
ind  retreated  to  New  Brunswick,  a  small  village  on  the  Karitan.  VVhile  there, 
the  term  of  service  of  a  number  of  his  troops  expired,  and  he  had  the  mortitica- 
tion  to  see  them  nbandon  him.  From  New  Brunswick  the  .\mericans  retreated 
lo  Trenton.  There  General  Washington  received  a  reinforcement  of  about  2,000 
men  from  Pennsylvania.  He  had  taken  the  precaution  of  collecting  and  guard- 
ing all  the  boats  on  the  Delaware  from  Philadelphia  for  seventy  miles  higher  up 
the  river.  He  sent  his  sick  to  Philadelphia,  and  his  heavy  artillery  and  baggage 
across  the  Delaware.  Having  taken  these  precautionary  measures,  and  being 
somewhat  encouraged  by  the  reinforcements  which  he  had  received,  he  halted 
some  time  at  Trenton,  and  even  began  to  advance  toward  Princeton  ;  but  be- 
ing informed  that  Earl  Cornwallis,  strongly  reinforced,  was  marching  against 
him,  he  was  obliged  to  seek  refuge  behind  the  great  river  Delaware.  On  the 
Sih  of  December  he  accomplished  the  passage  at  Trenton  Ferry,  the  van  of  the 
British  army  making  its  appearance  just  as  his  rear-guard  nad  crossed. 

CtMieral  Washington  was  careful  to  secure  all  the  boats  on  the  south  side  of 
the  river,  and  to  guard  all  those  places  where  it  was  probable  that  the  British 


.^iy?*%'.i^iw** 


.jt.i^i'fo.jssisSi'^'i'e^ 


it04 


TIIR   PirTORIAL  HISTORY 


army  niiglii  .ittt>in|it  to  pass  ;  -  '  tliui  his  iVtlilf  nriiiy  w:is  seciireil  (Vom  \\\e  da*, 
t;iT  of  ;in  .iiiiiiriliatf  'ittiick.  it!  liritisli  triii>|is  iii.iili'  ilcinnnstratioi)!*  ol    >ii  ii\ 

friiiiMi  to  crns'  lilt'  rncr,  ami  •(otiii'limfiits  wcrt'  >i.itioncil  to  c)(>nos'"  them  ,  Imii 
lliH  .'ittiMiipt  t'.iis  no*  seriously  inaiii'.  In  this  Niiirition  tlic  Aint-ncan  <  <>ininandcr 
anxi<fii«ly  \\;i\u  i  tor  rt'iiirorciMnonts,  ami  sent  somi'  pariit's  omt  tlic  river  to  oh- 
serve  and  annoy  llie  enemy. 

While  (i'Miral  W'aslnntjioii  was  retrealiiii,'  tlirouL'h  tlie  Jerseys,  lie  earnestiv 
.lesireil  (ienrr:il  Lee,  \\  ho  hail  lieen  jel't  in  coiinnanil  of  tlie  iii\  isioii  ot  the  army 
nt  North  ('asile,  to  hasten  his  inareli  to  llie  i)elawiire  ami  join  the  main  army. 
Hilt  that  ollieer,  notvvithsiamhii'j;  the  erilieal  nature  of  the  case,  and  the  pressing 
nnlers  ol  his  ronnniimler,  was  in  no  haste  to  ohey.  lie  inarched  slowly  to  the 
sonthwanl.  at  tlie  head  ot' ahoii'  H,0'i()  n.eii  ;  and  his  slii(;<risli  movements  and 
unwarv  condnct  proved  lata!  >  Iim  iiwn  |)ersona!  liherty,  and  excited  a  lively 
sensation  throiiirhout  .\mc  i  i  t|i  '-v  carelessly  withont  a  ^iiard,  and  at  soi!ie 
distance  I'rom  his  troi  is,  at  liaskci;  lOge,  in  .Morris  county,  where,  on  the  lUih 
ot"  IJeceinher,  Colonel  llaremirl,  wim,  with  a  small  detachment  of  light  horse, 
had  heen  sent  to  ohserve  l.n  iiioveinents  ot' that  division  of  the  .Xinerican  army, 
hv  a  ual'i  lilt  ar'  ■>■  lartisaii  wirlart^,  made  him  prisoner,  and  conveyed  him  rap- 
idly to  \ev.'  ',  ,,  ,  For  some  time  he  was  closely  conlined,  nnil  cimsidered  not 
tis  I  (irisotier-dl-war,  hm  as  a  deserter  from  the  Ihitish  army.  The  capture  of 
General  l,ee  was  rey'ardeii  as  a  j^reat  misfortune  hy  the  Americans  ;  lor  at  that 
liine  he  rnjoyed,  in  a  hijih  decree,  the  esteem  and  conlidencc  of  the  frienils  ot 
:c)iiirress  ;  on  the  other  h:uid,  the  Uritish  e.xulted  in  his  captivity,  as  ecpiiil  to  a 
ligtial  victfiry,  declariii!;  that  "  they  had  taken  the  .American  palladium." 

(uMieral  Sullivan,  « ho  on  th<!  Ith  of  Septemher  had  been  exchanged  for  (Jen 
!ral  Presioit  wlieii  [..ord  Stirliiit;  also  hail  been  exchanged  for  General  McDon 
alil,  succeeded  to  the  command  ol'  Leo's  division,  and  soon  coinhicted  it  across 
the  Didaware  to  (Jeneral  Washington's  army.  At  the  same  time  General  Gates 
with  part  of  the  army  of  Canada,  arrived  in  camp.  Hut  even  after  the  junction 
of  those  troops,  and  a  immher  of  militia  of  Pennsylvania,  General  Washington's 
force  did  not  exceed  o,000  men  ;  t'or  though  many  had  joined  the  army,  yet  not 
a  few  were  daily  leaving  it ;  and  of  those  who  remained,  the  greater  part  were 
raw  troops,  ill-provided,  and  all  (tf  them  dispirited  by  defeat. 

General  Howe,  with  an  army  of  27,000  men,  completely  armed  and  disci- 
plined, well-provided,  and  Hushed  with  success,  lay  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
Delaware  ;  stretching  Iroin  New  Brunswick  to  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  and 
ready,  it  was  believed,  to  pass  over  as  soon  as  the  severity  of  the  winter  was 
set  in,  and  tin'  river  completely  frozen.  To  the  Americans  this  was  the  most 
gloomy  period  of  the  coiuest ;  and  their  alTairs  appeared  in  a  very  hopeless  con- 
dition. To  deepen  the  gloom  of  this  period,  so  alarming  to  the  Americans,  anJ 
to  conlini'.  the  coiilidence  of  the  British  army.  General  Clinton,  with  two  brigades 
of  British  and  two  of  Hessian  troops,  escmrted  by  a  squadron  of  men-of-war  un- 
der Sir  Peter  Parker,  was  sent  against  Khode  Island.  The  American  force. 
;nca|)al)le  of  mi;  king  any  eU'ectual  resist  viice,  abandoned  the  island  on  General 
Clinton's  "I'v.roach  ;  .lu.l  on  the  day  that  (jeneral  Washington  crossed  the  Dela- 
.fare,  he  ,  k.  possession  of  it  without  opposition  or  loss.  At  the  same  time  the 
British  fleet  blocked  up  Commodore  Hopkins'  squadron,  and  a  number  of  priva- 
teers at  Providence. 

When  llie  American  army  retreated  through  the  Jerseys,  dejection  took  pos- 
session of  the  public  mind.  Geiieril  Washington  callea  on  the  militia  of  that 
state  to  lake  the  field  ;  but  his  call  *»»  not  obeyed.  Fear  triumphed  over  pa- 
triotfs.n  ;  and  every  one  was  more  aitxio«««  to  provide  for  his  personal  safety 
than  to  support  the  national  cause 

On  the  '<Otli  of  November,  when  the  mm  of  American  independence  bceined 


■:w: 


OFTIIK  AMKUICAN  liKVOM'TlON 


9Ca 


m  ilu'  tla*. 
!«  Ill  «ii  in 
them  ;  lull 

'i\  cr  I"  "h- 

irirntsilv 
I  I  hi'  ariiiv 
Klin  army, 
pressing 
i\\  Iv  to  till' 
ni'nis    ami 
il   ii   livt'ly 
ml  iit  Moinc 
1)11  the  lUlh 
liglil  liorsf. 
rican  ariny, 
eil  him  raji- 
nsiiliTi'il  i\ot 
B  capiure  dI" 
lor  at  that 
le  Crit'iiila  of 
IS  (>i|iial  to  a 
ium." 

fj;»'il  for  (Jen 
i^ral  McDon 
ted  it  across 
eneral  Gates 
r  the  junction 
Washington's 
army,  yet  not 
ter  part  were 

;d  and  disci- 
te  side  of  the 
adelphia,  and 
5  winter  was 
IV  as  the  mosi 
hopeless  con- 
mericans,  anJ 
1  two  brigades 
jen-of-war  im- 
nerican  force, 
id  on  General 
ssed  tlie  Dela- 
same  time  the 
mber  of  priva- 
tion took  pos- 
militia  of  that 
phed  over  pa- 
ersonal   safety 

dencc  seemed 


(a»i  s»' tinff,  f.f-ril  llnwc  and  the  m  ncrul  i>iMuril  ii  pnulamiitiiiii,  priinil>ini.' ();iri!i»n 
to  thofte  who  slioiilil  ri'liirn  to  their  alle^jiaiico,  and  muIimtiIio  a  siiilaiili' oliliy.iiioii 
Many  took  advantane  of  tne  prncianiatioii,  and  siiluiiitttd  to  the  Hriiish  (.'ovcrii 
iiu-nl  ;  and  amoiiir  tlnse  were  all  the  richer  inhabiiaiits  of  tin  provirne,  with  a 
lew  CXI  •  '"ioiia.  It  was  the  middle  i  lass  chielly  that  remained  wieadl'i-^t  in  the 
day  of  II  i  and  ;idversity.  The  conseijueiuo  of  tins  apatliy,  Tear,  and  di  li'ition, 
was  the  ri  'r^at  of  General  VVashinifton  across  the  Delaware,  at  the  head  of  only 
'2,000  men  id  in  a  day  or  two  afterward  even  that  small  number  was  consid- 
erably dimih.    led. 

On  the  I'Jtl.  'f  December,  congress  quitted  Philadelphia  and  retired  to  Haiti- 
more,  :n  Maryland.  Rut  under  all  the  re\ers'es  which  their  cause  had  suflTered, 
iiiid  in  il'e  most  unprou  ^ini;  si.i'"  of  their  atrairs,  lliey  manifested  an  unshaken 
tirmness.  'I'heir  ener>;y  did  not  i  rsake  them  ;  there  was  no  humiliation  in  their 
itiitude,  ?o  despondency  .  i  their  l,>iiijua(i;e,  and  no  inactivity  in  their  operations. 
Their  fortitude  wa>  well  s.pported  '>y  thi'->  brave,  sagacious,  and  persevering 
CI   iimander-in-chiel 

\t  first,  the  Amer  ans  Con  ly  hop.  '  that  the  war  would  not  be  of  long  dura- 
tiitii  ,  and,  inlhieneeil  partly  b  that  di  eitful  expectation,  and  more  perhaps  by 
■.i  wish  not  to  discour;  i,'e  their  idhereni  congress  had  enlisted  tlieii  .^^.idiers  for 
a  year  only.  That  error  in  thi  ' 'niliia  system,  which  gave  them  much  unea- 
siness, and  exposed  ihem  to  no  ^ttliil  da  ;er  in  the  course  of  the  war,  now  be- 
s;an  to  be  severely  i  It,  by  the  iinaw>^  tot  dissolution  of  their  army,  in  the  pres- 
ence i)f  a  victorious  enemy.  In  on 
resolved  that  their  soldiers  shoulc    * 

'ho  continuance  of  the  war;  and,        this  principle,  they  ordered  a  new  army  of 

h  snie  furnishing  its  due  proportion.    Vir- 

o  raise  fifteen  battalinns  ;   Pennsylvania, 

arolina,  six  ;  Connecticut  and  .Maryland, 

are  and  Georgia,  one  each  ;  New  Hamp- 

vs,  being  partly  in  possession  of  the  ene- 

ai         The  appointment  of  officers  in  the 

s,  except  in  the  case  of  general  officers, 

iiients. 

riotisin  had  evaporated  ;  and,  while  all 
make  as  few  sacrifices  as  possible  in 
ings  congress  were  fully  sensible,  and 
leral  reb.ictance  to  the  service,  by  pres- 
ds.   To  induce  men  to  enlist  and  till 


-  I     remedy  that  defect  in  future,  congress 
iwuiid  to  serve  for  three  years,  or   during 


ighty-eight  battalions  to   )e  raisei. 
f.  ma   and   Massachusetts  were   e&' 
I    live  ;  North  Carolina,  nine  ;  So 
Vi   ht  each;  Rhode  Island,  two;  Di 
sh  re,  three ;  New  York  and  the  Jer 
in\    were  rated  at  only  four  battalion, 
bat  ilions,  and  the  filling  up  of  vacait 
was  left  to  tlie  several  |)rovincial  go\ 
h  It  the  first  ebullition  of  popular 
clan  ored  about  freedom,  each  wished 
orde     to  obtain  it.     Of  this  state  of 
therefore  endeavored  to  overcome  the  gmt^ 
ent  bounties  and  the  prospect  of  future  re 


up  iht  battalicms  that  had  been  ordered,  i.  ,igress  promised  a  bounty  of  twenty 
dollar^  to  each  soldier,  and  an  allotment  of  land,  at  the  end  of  the  war,  to  all 
who  survived,  and  to  the  families  of  such  as  had  fallen  in  the  service.  The  al- 
lotmonis  were  proportioned  to  the  rank  of  the  individuals  :  a  common  soldier 
was  to  have  100  acres;  an  ensign,  150,  a  lieutenant,  200 ;  a  major,  400 ;  a 
lieutenant-colonel,  450  ;  and  a  colonel,  500.  They  who  enlisted  for  three  years 
only  were  not  entitled  to  an  allotment.  No  person  was  permitted  to  purchase 
another's  allotment,  which  was  to  remain  secure  to  him  as  a  means  of  decent 
subsistence,  when  the  public  should  no  longer  need  his  professional  services. 

Congress  also  offered  a  bounty  to  such  foreign  troops  in  British  pay  as  should 
desert,  and  enlist  under  the  republican  banners :  to  a  colonel,  1000  acres  of  land  ; 
to  a  lieu'enant-colonel,  800 ;  to  a  major,  600  ;  to  a  captain,  400 ;  to  a  lieuten- 
ant. 300  ;  to  an  ensign,  200 ;  and  lo  every  non-commissioned  soldier,  100.  This 
measure  was  intended  as  a  counterpoise  to  the  promise  of  large  grants  of  vacaii? 
'and,  at  the  close  of  the  troubles,  made  by  the  British  government  to  the  high- 
Jand  emigrants,  and  other  new  troops  raised  in  America,  as  a  reward  for  tbeii 


-  IvMs       ',4^^.li^tof«c-sgBJ«* 


-iJS&A*^  AVJ;»»-*iJ^rfl-;f  -vl  >, 


,(,5  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

jealousy   of  the  power  «'"  .gl^^^/*^  J^,  '"'\\\Sl  conm  appear  to 

the  erul   of  beplembtr,  congress  ^"=  ^.,„--',  ,,(•  France    with  powers  to  e  iter 

Arthur  Lee,  their  co.nnnssioners  to  the     -^J/^^^^^'.'^.^^^^^Jafterwarcl.     At 
into  a  treaty  wuh  the  Irench  .ing .  tl^y  ^'^''r^  '^^^J     j        ^j^^  inhabitants  of 

E  ;;r.l'^:Tr'rT;LT:i:arcL;^fo:;u ».. .  o„.  or ..... 

bui  returned  without  success. 


Fia.  89.-Charles  CarroU,of  Ciirrollton. 


.„a  co,nple,e  power,  »  »'»7;,\^°t°  S^si       >S,T.3o«,  o'.   in; 
b««lio,«  of  i„la,u,,  ;  •"';''-•  ».'«5,.';'^,  Tj'u,  SlW.  .heir  p^y  :  »  .pply 

rr,r  rT  ^.le  o,\2'»?i  '.'f'^sSi.  a.  he — i"a«  u^rpS:;;" 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


20'? 


ide  for  th» 
of  dollars, 
pal  ami  in- 

toward  the 
;  yet,  from 
luse  of  tho 
s  appear  to 
and,  toward 
Deane,  and 
era  to  e  iter 
rward.  At 
labitanls  of 
ne  of  them 


orely  (elt  tbo 
ngress  having 
December,  re- 
ilh  full,  ample, 
sedy  and  eflec- 
ittalions  of  in- 
rs  for  the  said 
86,  three  regi- 
pay  ;  to  apply 
necessary  ;  to 
I  think  proper 
general,  and  to 


till  up  all  vaca-.cies  in  t.viry  other  department  in  the  American  army  | /«  take, 
wherever  he  may  be,  whatever  he  may  want  lor  the  use  of  the  army,  if  the  in- 
habitants will  not  sell  it,  allowing  a  reasonable  price  for  the  same  ;  to  =*"««;  a"d 
oonfine  persons  who  refuse  to  take  the  continental  currency;  and  that  these 
powers  be  vested  in  General  Washington  for  the  period  of  six  months  im  ess 
sooner  determined  by  congress.  At  the  same  time,  congress  '"'"f /«  f ""«" 
toward  the  Canadian  fronlier,  and  ordered  works  to  be  constructed  for  the  secu- 
rilv  of  the  lakes  George  and  Champlain.  .  ,    ,  r 

While  active  in  using  all  means  for  internal  security  and  defence,  congress 
were  not  careless  of  foreign  relations.  They  resolved,  without  del^Y-  «  «/"J 
commissioners  to  the  courts  of  Vienna,  Spain,  Prussia,  and  the  grand  duke  of 
I^^scany,  to  assure  those  powers  that  the  United  States  were  determined  to 
maintain  their  independence  ;  to  solicit  the  friendly  aid  ol  those  courts  or  the.r 
good  offices  in  preventing  any  more  foreigners  in  the  pay  of  Great  Britain  from 
bSus  sent  against  the  states,  and  in  procuring  the  recall  of  those  that  had  been 

^'Tichard  s\o';kton,  a  member  of  congress,  had  been  made  prisoner  by  the  British, 
and  thrown  into  a  common  jail.  Congress  was  indignant  at  the  treatment  he  re- 
ceived, and  ordered  General  Washington  to  open  a  correspondence  on  the  sub- 
ject  with  General  Howe,  that  it  might  be  ascertained  in  what  manner  pnsonerP 
were  to  be  treated,  as  the  Americans  were  determined  to  retaliate  on  British 
prisoners  any  ill-usage  which  their  adherents  who  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 

British  might  meet  with.  ,        „  .u  •  „„„  „f  ,v,„ 

Congress  also  made  a  solemn  and  animated  appeal  to  all  the  provinces  of  he 
union.  They  reminded  the  people  of  their  grounds  of  complaint  against  the 
British  government,  and  of  the  treatment  which  they  had  received  from  it.  I  hej 
assured  them  that  nothing  less  than  absolute  submission  would  satisfy  their  ene- 
mies;  and  emphatically  asked  them  whether  they  chose  resistance  or  slavery. 
The  appeal  produced  the  desired  effect,  and  the  people  prepared  to  continue  the 

stnittule  with  renewed  vigor.  _,        i  i  u . 

The  British  parliament  met  on  the  26th  of  October,  775,  and  was  opened  by 
*  speech  from  the  throne,  in  which  the  king  set  forth  that  he  had  it  m  contern- 
plalion  to  engage  some  foreign  troops  which  had  been  offered  him  to  serve  in 
America  :  that  it  was  necessary  to  compel  the  colonists  to  submission,  but  that 
he  would  be  ready  to  receive  them  with  tenderness  and  mercy,  on  their  becom- 
ing sensible  of  their  error.  Ministry  moved  an  address  in  full  accordance  with 
the  speech,  which  was  strenuously  resisted  by  the  opponents  of  the  administra- 
tion  in  both  houses  of  parliament,  and  keen  debates  ensued ;  but  ministry  car- 
ried their  point  by  large  majorities,  and  the  far  greater  number  of  the  people 

fully  concurred  in  the  war.  .        i . 

The  employment  of  foreign  mercenaries  against  the  colonists  was  strong  y 
opposed  in  parliament ;  but  the  measure  was  adopted,  which  awakened  a  lively 
sensation  in  the  provinces,  where  it  was  considered  as  an  avowal  that  the 
mother  country  had  entirely  shaken  off  the  re.n.^mbrance  of  their  propinquity, 
and  indulged  a  spirit  of  rancorous  hostility  against  them.  Hence,  numbers  who 
had  hitherto  been  moderate  in  their  political  sentiments,  became  steady  adho- 
rents  of  the  republican  cause  ;  while  they  who  had  formerly  been  refractory, 
became  more  determ  ned  in  their  opposition  to  the  measures  of  the  British  gov- 

""rhTsecond  petition  of  congress,  tc  which  no  answer  had  been  returned,  was 
brought  under  the  notice  of  parliament,  and  Mr.  Penn,  formerly  governor  of 
Pennsylvania,  was  examined  at  the  bar  of  the  house  of  lords  ;  but  his  examina- 
tion  was  followed  by  no  conciliatory  results.  About  that  time  Mr.  Edmund 
Burke,  an  eloquent  member  if  parliament  under  the  banners  of  the  oppositioa 


-«s(St>»-'.>'fe'  f ;«i^'i'^«<WM;s5*s.i  A;V-.!4'!Sife'Jv*  s^ix^f  ■- 


205  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

J  1  ■  .  ,>,»  1.mmo  of  commons  his  conciliatory  bill,  which  pr3posed  to 
ntroduced  into  the  house  ot  <'?"""°"  ,"'",•  ^whout  entering  on  the  con- 
renounce  the  exercise  of  taxation  in  ^^^l^^;"^"'^^;™^^^^  Britain,  the 
sideration  of  the  q"««"°^  f  "S^^  ^"^"ISedrSLrpurposes  which  the 
power  of  levying  2™^^  oX:e%Lu  dTu'd^e^™^^^^^^^^^^          and  beneficial. 

and  the  passing  an  immediate  act  of  amnesty.     But  tbi..  line 
riliatory  proposition,  was  unsuccessful. 


Fl«.  90.— Edmund  Burke 
The  rejection  of  Mr.  Burke's  bill  was  followed  by  '^^^^'^^f'^^J,^"!^ 
ministry,  irohibiting  all  intercourse  with  the  colomes  which,  »[«*'  »  J«J"  "PP"" 
SSHasS  both  houses  of  parliament,  and  received  the  royal  sanction 


CHAPTER  VI. 


OF  THE  AMERICVN   REVOLUTION. 


209 


raposeil  to 
li  the  coii- 
Jritain,  the 
which  the 
beneficial. 
B  colonists 
othflT  cor 


on  of  one  by 
a  keen  oppo- 
iction 


kst  setting  in , 
rations  during 
whom  he  had 
to  annihilate, 
iption  of  their 
As  he  enter- 
ntion  to  the  ar- 
tle  stationed  a 
ille,  and  about 
the  rest  of  his 
the  Delaware, 
on;  Washing 
It  2,000  men, 
mmand.     The 
at,  had  throw» 


taal  citv  into  much  contusion.     Tli-.r  presence   had  overawed  the  disaffected 
and  2n  a  ned  the  tran,u,ll.ty  of  .In-  i.l:.... ;  l.ut,  on  their  removal,  the   "end«  of 
T  Eh  claims,  to  wl  o,n  ifelm,....!  th.  .r.-at  body  of  the  quakers  a  t.mid  .eel 
^,t..rt^hesir Themselves ;  and  ( ieneral  I'ui nam,  who  commanded  there,  needed 


Fio.  91  — Portriiit  of  General  Putnam. 

a  considerable  force  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the  city.  The  country  was  de- 
TeS  tie  Wends  of  cSngress  were  filled  with  the  most  gloomy  apprehenstons  i 
ind  m;ny  of  the  inhabitams  repaired  to  the  Brit  sh  P«f^%«  Jf^jfj^^  ^c^'^! 
giance  to  the  British  crown,  and  claimed  protection;  so  that  in  those  circum 
stances  General  Howe  seemed  perfectly  secure.  maintained  an 

But  in  that  alarming  state  of  affairs  the  American  l«'\'l«"/"\!  ™Ti7„f  j^" 
„rflPt  nocture  and  their  brave  and  persevering  commander-in-chief  did  not  ae 
;:    .Ton^ess  acthW  employed  all  the  m'eans  in  their  power  f-  -ppomng 
E  indepeSence,  and  General  Washington  applied  in  every  quarter  for  rein- 
forTements      He  perceived  the  security  of  the  British  commander-in-chief,  and 
he  aTvanfages  w£ch  the  scattered  cantonment  of  h.> ^3/-; ^U  dt 
American  arms.     "  Now,"  exclaimed  he,  on  being  informed  of  the  widely  ms 
p    seTstate  of  the  British  troops,  "  is  the  time  to  dip  their  wings  when  they 
Lre  so  spread  ;"  and,  accordingly,  resolved  to  make  a  bold  effort  to  check  tfte 
nrorass  of  the  enemy.     For  thkt  purpose  he  planned  an  attack  on  the  Hessians 
rfrerton      Gene  af  Putnam,  who  was  stationed  in  Philadelphia  might  have 
bee^uSl  in  creating  a  diversion  on  that  side  ;  but  in  that  cjty  ^he  friends^of 
Britain  were  80  strong,  that  it  was  deemed  inexpedient  to  withdraw,  even  lor  a 
C  SrThrtrrpsVed  there.     But  a  small  party  of  militia,  under  Colonel 
GriffinTassed  the  Delaware  near  Philadelphia,  and  advanced  t*  Mount  Holly. 
Sum  Donop  marched  against  them,  but.  on' their  retreat,  he  returned  to  Borden- 

■"^General  Washington  formed  his  troops  into  three  divisions  which  were   al- 
mo«  jiaSiSfto  pass  the  Delawrre,  at  three  different  places  on  he  ej.n 
inir  of  the  25th  of  December,  hoping  to  surprise  the  enemy  after  the  lesiiviiies 
Kristmas      Sne  division,'under  General  Cadwallader.  was  to  pas.  the  river 

14 


U.ST-.Si'.t'*  «»!.'"  »*«»«-t'«""*^»--"-'- 


tic 


THE    PICTOKlAL   HISTORY 


Kio.  92— VVashington  approaching  ihe  Dcluwiir.! 
in  me  vic'nity  of  Bristol,  but  faile.l  through  i,wiitfnlio.,  to  the  state  of  the  tide 
anHf  the  me?  as  they  could  m.t  lan.l  .m  uccount  of  the  heaps  of  ice  accumu- 
Tated  on  the  Jersey  bank.  The  second  division,  under  General  Irving,  was  to 
nass  at  Tren  o, r/erry,  but  was  unable  to  n,ako  its  way  through  the  ice.  The 
E  and  main  dfvisic^,  nnder  the  conun.nd  of  Genera  Washington  mpers^^^^ 
URia».ed  bv  Generals  Sullivan  and  Gree,...  and  Colonel  Knox  of  the  artillerv. 


Fio.  93.— Porlrail  of  Colonel  Knoi. 

.ccomplished  the  passage,  with  great  ditlicnlty,  at  ^^f*'-^'f'\^'Zl\^^Z''ieT. 
miles  Lbove  Trenton.  The  general  had  ex,u.cted  to  have  his  troops  on  the  Jer 
•ey  side  about  midnight,  and  to  reach  Trenton  about  hve  in  the  m«^n;ng;^  ""^ 
the  difficulties  arising  from  the  accumulation  ol  ice  in  the  river,  were  so 
great,  that  it  was  three  o'clock  in  the  mort.ing  before  the  troops  got  across,  and 
nearly  four  before  they  began  to  move  forward.  They  wore  f  J^  mj^  JJ 
divisions,  one  of  which  proceeded  toward  Trenton  by  the  lower  or  r»er  road 
and  the  other  by  the  upper  or  Penninirton  rood 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


211 


of  the  tide 

ce  accumu- 

ing,  was  to 

ice. 


The 


n  in  person, 
le  artillery, 


ry,  about  nine 
)s  en  the  Jer- 
torning.  Bui 
iver,  were  so 
ot  across,  and 
ned  into  wo 
»r  riiier  road 


rolr  .el  lUuiUo  had  rccoive.1  some  inti.natiou  thai  an  attack  ""  ^\?„  P°«»  _*^^' 

ard  Uordeiilown  and- made  their  escape.  Americans  lost  only 

.p^'3in.e,  ye,,  b„lie.,ng  .h,.  «-'«';"»;"*-  7|oo"'i,™,  1  '  «« 
W  «*r;S  1  P.nns;U^^      l..  P-e.d„d  u,  B"'l.,,g«n  .nd  nex,  d., 


t;-^^.-_:^5=?:i*t^^.^-.*r'v-iJ^ri^-i 


y^^:,;i^-.i-,-jiS-:r^-^'i^^::&iS<-^i^'-X^'^-^^  ■• 


212  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

Auef  who  again  crossed  the  Delaware  and  marched  to  Trenton,  where,  aV  the 
£m  n^r  o'Suary,  he  found  himself  at  the  head  of  5,000  men. 

The  arann  was  now  spread  throughout  the  British  army.  A  strong  detacj- 
nJ  u>'irGrnerarGrant  marched'to  Princeton ;  and  Earl  ^-"'W^l^»;  ^Jj 
wa^  on  the  potnt  of  sailing  for  England,  w^^  ordered  to  leave  New  York,  and 

eaume  hia  command  in  the  Jerseys. 


Fio.  94.— Portrait  of  Lord  Cornwallii. 

n       ,oi    Praiit   I  (ird  Cornwaliis  immediately  marched  againa. 
Un  joming  General   Grant,  Lord  !^«^''      '  ^  J^-^^^^^  ^^med  lb. 


OF  THE  AMKIUCAN  KEVOLUTION. 


2i;» 


ere,  at  the 

ng  detach- 

ivallis,  who 

York,  and 


ched  again*, 
t  named  tb« 
in  his  front, 
muary,  1777, 
His  intending 
,  Washington 
id,  and  small 
irough  Allen 

■  favored  his 
gy,  and  great 
lould  be  found 

celerity ;  but 
[es  of  weather 
i  to  the  north- 
ior  operations 
d  to  struggle 
'he  American 

,iven  in  their 

ree  regiments, 
idvance  on  the 
een  Princeton 
daybreak  and 


^honlv  l.eioro  -hat  time  Colonel  Mawho...rs  .letachment  had  l.f>o|m  to  advance 

wa   1  M  u  cMhead,  by  a  road  a.  a  Ihtl.  distance  fro.n  that  on  wlue).  the  Amer.- 

c-l  ^ve^e  n.vr.lung.     'rhe  two  ar.nie.s  unexpectedly  me,,  and  a  --"  -''J'lj;;- 

ment  mstantlv  ensued.     At  llrs,  the  .\merieans  were  thrown   into   some    .  outu- 

8io       but  (le-neral  Washington,  l.v  «reat  personal  exertions   restored  order,  and 

en  ;ed  the  battle.     CoU.nel  .Mawhood.  with  a  part  of  his  f..rce,  broke  through 

he  \merican  army,  and  continued  his  rout.-  to  Maidenhead  ;  the  remainde,  of 

Ills  deJadmiem,  being  unahle  to  advance,  retreated   by   ditferent  roads   to    New 

''"rtlnfrencounter  a  consider.Me  number  of  men  fell  on  each  side  The 
Americans  lost  General  .VIercer,  whose  deatU  was  inucn  ^•^"^^••''^'^^'^y  ^^^^  7"" 
trvmen  Captain  Leslie,  sou  of  the  Earl  of  Leven,  was  among  the  slain  on  the 
7de  of  the  Hnti.h  ;  and  he  was  burie.l  with  military  honors  by  the  Amcr.caus 
in  testimony  of  respect  not  to  himself  merely,  but  to  his  f^'"/ { /'^"•^,./".  "' 
battle  Colonel  .Monroe,  who  was  afterward  elected  president  of  the  United  iMates, 

"^1;  wa^  wlunSely  after  the  sharp  con.lict  at  the  fence  between  the  a,b^.c.e 
guard  of  the  An.erican  army,  led  by  General  Mercer,  and  the  British  ««ve"tee.uh 
regiment,  and  the  retreat  of  the  Americans  through  the  orchard  near  to  Clark  s 
house  and  barn,  that  General  Mercer,  while  exert.ng  himse  f  to  ^al'y/''^  'y^"^!" 
troops,  was  brought  to  the  ground  by  a  blow  from  the  butt  of  a  niusket.     He  was 
on  fLt  at  this  time-the  gray  horse  he  rode  at  the  beginning  ol  'he  actio    lav- 
ing been  disabled  by  a  ball  in  the  fore  leg.     The  British  Bo^'e"  J/^   '  "^  ^ 
firSt  aware  of  the  general's  rank,  f..r  the  morning  being  cold,  he  wore  a    « 
over  his  uniform.     So  soon  as  they  discovered  that  he   was  a  f «'  «"'  "'S^^^' 
they  shouted  that  they  had  got  the  rebel  general,  and  cried.     Call  for  q^uu  t.rs 
voii  d-d  rebel !"     Mercer  to  the  most  undaunted  courage  united  a  q"^l^  ^n-; 
•ardent  temperament:  he  replied  with  indignation  to  his  «"«"";;.' ^^^'^/.^ 
bayonets  were  at  his  bosom,  that  he  deserved  not  the  name  ol  rebe  ,  and  de^ 
termining  to  die  as  he  had  lived,  a  true  and  honored  soldier  of  I'berty,  lounged 
with  his  sword  at  the  nearest  man.     They  then  bayoneted  him,  and  left  h.m  lor 

"^'llpon  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  the  wounded  general  was  «=«"^«y^^^^.  J^^^;';''' 
house,  immediately  adjoining  the  field  of  battle.     '1  he  "^f"-^-"^"""  ^f  J^^.^^;";",, 
mander-in-chief  first  received  of  the  fall  of  li.s  old  companion  in  arms  «    ^e  ^va 
of  1775,  and  beloved  officer,  was  that  he  had  ^^'^P'^.^'^/I^'^"  IjV  ^T 
wounds     audit  was  not  until  the  American  army  was  in  full  >n"^!»/«  .^^""^'^^ 
town  that  the  chief  was  undeceived,  and  learned,  to  his  S-'^ig-"^'^^""";^^ 
Mercer,  though  fearfully  wounded,  was  yet  alive      Upon  the  first  haU  at  Some- 
set   courthouse.    Washington   despatched   the    late  Major  George   I^w is    h.s 
nephew,  and  captain  of  the  Horse  Guards,  with  a  flag  and  a  letter  to  Lord  Corn 
Slis,    eqiestin^g  tha"  every  possible  attention  might  be  shown  to  J^te  wounded 
general,  alul  permission  that  young  Lewis  should  [«'"=^\"  ^^'^^m  a^d  o  iereS 
his  wants.     To  both  requests  his  lordship  yielded  a  willing  assent,  "^nJ J^^^e  J^ 
his  stair-surgeon  to  attend  upon  General  Mercer.     Upon  an  examination  of  the 
wounds,  the^British  surgeon  remarked  that,  although  they  were  '"-"y -''d;;^, 
he  was  disposed  to  behlve  that  they  woukl  not  prove  dangerous.     Me  cer,  bred 
to  the  profession  of  an  army  surgeon  in  Europe,  said  to  young  Lewis,     Kaise 
mv  r  ght  arm,  George,  and  this  ientleman  will  there  discover  ^^e  smallest  of  my 
w'ou.  Is,  bnt  ;hich  will  prove  the  most  fatal      Yes,  sir.  that  is  ^  fejbj  jhat  wjl 
very  somi  do  my  business."     He  languished  till   the  twelfth,  and  exp  red  m  he 
arm^s  of  Lewis,  admired  and  lamented  by  the   .hole  army.     Du"ng  the  pe nod 
that  he  languished  on  the  couch  of  suffering,  he  exonerated  ^  ^eriemies  fro m 
the  foul  accusation  which  thev  bore  not  only  m  1777,  but  for  half  a  centurv 


C.=.,...;-^.-W.:-^^fe-*' 


;i^;i#-v^-=:$HH^^SSfe'i1rit4:!%i^iv:-"ii*4'^^ 


■■  ;.^=  !it-'A^'-^.i''-''-! 


OK  'I Hi:  A.MKIUCAN  KEVonmox. 


3i5 


smew  viz  :  of  iluir  liaviim  bavDnotfid  a  general  ofllcj-r  iil'ier  he  li:i<l  surreiidi-red 
iiii  "•(!,  /iiiil  l)('ci»iiii'  ;i  |irisoiiiT  III'  w.ir — ilci'liiriiii;  ili:ii  he  only  rehiKjuisheil 
!ii.s  s  nl  when  his  arm  liul  lirciiiiif  powcrh'ss  ti)  wirld  it.  H<'  paul  the  hoiii- 
iige  <it'  Ills  wlicih'  licarl  to  the  [htsoii  ami  cliaractcr  of  tlic  coinmaiiiler-in-cliief, 
ri'joii-ed  with  true  siddicrly  pride  in  tlie  trininplis  of  Trenton  and  i'rincetoii,  in 
hotli  ol'  whieh  he  liad  lioriie  a  eoiispienous  part,  and  olhued  np  his  fervent  pray- 
ers for  the  final  Mnccess  of  tlu'  eaiise  of  American  iiidepiMnleiico. 

'I'iiiis  lived  and  died  lliiiili  Mercer,  a  name  that  will  for  ever  be  associated 
wifli  momentous  events  in  tiie  history  of  the  War  of  the  llevolntioii.  When  a 
grateful  posterity  shall  bid  the  trophied  iiiemoriai  rise  to  the  martyrs  who  sealed 
with  their  blood  the  charter  of  an  eni|)ire's  liberties,  there  will  not  be  wantiii):;  a 
moiiuineiit  to  him  whom  Washin<;t(m  mourned  as  the  worthy  and  brave  Cieneral 
Mercer. 

We  shall  ^ive  a  simple  anecdote  of  tlie  subject  of  the  foregoing  memoir,  to 
show  the  pure  and  high  minded  principles  that  actuated  the  patriots  and  soldiers 
of  the  days  of  our  country's  first  trial. 

Virginia  at  first  organizetl  two  regiments  for  the  coiiinioii  cause.  When  it 
was  determined  to  raise  a  third,  there  were  numerous  applications  for  commis- 
sioiis  ;  and,  these  being  mostly  from  men  oi  fortune  and  family  interest,  there 
was  scarcely  an  application  for  a  rank  less  than  a  field  otlicer.  During  the  sit- 
ting of  the  house  of  burgesses  upon  the  important  motion,  a  plain  but  soldierly- 
looking  individual  handed  up  to  the  speaker's  chair  a  scrap  of  paper,  on  which 
was  written,  "  Hugh  .Mercer  will  serve  his  adopted  country  and  the  cause  of 
liberty  in  any  rank  or  station  to  which  he  may  be  appointed."  This,  from  a 
veteran  soldier,  bred  in  European  camps,  the  associate  of  Washington  in  the  war 
of  1755.  and  known  to  stand  high  in  his  confidence  and  esteem,  was  all-sufficient 
for  a  body  of  patriots  and  statesmen,  such  as  composed  the  Virginia  house  of 
burgesses  in  the  days  of  the  revolution.  The  appointment  of  Mercer  to  the 
command  of  the  third  Virginia  regiment  was  carried  instanter. 

It  was  was  while  the  commander-in-chief  reined  up  his  horse,  upon  approach- 
ing the  spot  in  a  ploughed  field  where  lay  the  gallant  Colonel  Haslett  mortally 
wounded,  that  he  perceived  some  British  .soldiers  supporting  an  officer,  and  upon 
inquiring  his  name  and  rank,  was  answered,  Captain  Leslie.  Doctor  Benjamin 
Rush,  who  formed  a  part  of  the  general's  suite,  earnestly  asked,  "  A  son  of  the 
earl  of  Leven  ?"  to  which  the  soldiers  replied  in  the  atfirmative.  The  doctor 
.hen  addressed  the  general-in-chief :  "I  beg  your  excellency  to  permit  this 
wounded  officer  to  be  placed  under  my  care,  that  I  may  return,  in  however 
small  a  degree,  a  part  of  the  obligations  1  owe  to  his  worthy  father  for  the  many 
kindnesses  received  at  his  hands  while  I  was  a  student  i:\  Edinburgh."  The 
request  was  immediately  granted ;  but,  alas !  poor  Leslie  was  soon  "  past  all 
surgery."  He  died  the  same  evening,  after  receiving  every  possible  kindness 
and  attention,  and  was  buried  the  next  day  at  Pluckemin,  with  the  honors  of 
war ;  his  soldiers,  as  they  lowered  his  remains  to  the  soldier's  last  rest,  shed- 
ding tears  over  the  grave  of  a  much  loved  commander. 

The  battle  of  Princeton,  for  the  time  it  lasted  and  the  numbers  engaged,  was 
the  most  fatal  to  our  officers  of  any  action  during  the  whole  of  our  revolutionary 
war  ;  the  Americans  losing  one  general,  two  colonels,  one  major,  and  three  cap- 
tains, killed — while  the  martial  prowess  of  our  enemy  shone  not  with  more 
brilliant  lustre  in  any  one  of  their  combats  during  their  long  career  of  arms  than 
did  the  courage  and  discipline  of  the  seventeenth  British  regiment  on  the  third 
of  January,  1777.  Indeed,  Washington  himself,  during  the  height  of  the  con- 
flict, pointed  out  this  gallant  corps  to  his  officers,  exclaiming,  "  See  how  those 
noble  fellows  fight !  Ah !  gentlemen,  when  shall  we  be  able  to  keep  an  army 
\oDfi  enough  together  to  display  a  discipline  equal  to  our  enemies  f" 


THE  PICTORIAL  UlSTOin 


316 

The  :e«.,ar  Uoop  '^.t  co„s.u...l  0.  .ra.l  ..ny  . 

son.,  marches,  anasutl.nn^'ol  ^'^  ,.  T^'i^J^^f  he  MaryU.ul  youth,  un.l 
r...in,ont  of  S.n.llw.MMl,  c;...ni.os.-«»  <>  /  "'.  'E  .Iclpl.ia  eleven  hun.lre.l  sir..n« 
whuh,  in  the  June  pn-ce.hnu.  •^^^'^^l;'  ;;,:'' 'xy  nu-n.  an-l  conuuande.l  l.v 
was,  on  the  .h.nl  of  January,  ^'^V;,'^ f^^  ^  j^^J,  ^  V.he  ^r.uA  army.  eonsU.ea 
a  ca,.,.un.  In  faut.  the  hulk  ol  '^^^^^^^'^L-n  .ohliers  who  ha.l  left  ll.ur 
of  tile  Pennsylvania  uuht.a  ^;"; ,.  "^  "  J^^^^^^^^^  were  en.luru.g  the  n«ors  ot  . 
comfortahle  hon.e.s  at  the  eall  ot  '  '^  ^  .''  ^";>;^,,,.  „,•  Princeto,.,  they  had  heen 
win,.,.r  eanM.ai,n.     <>..  the   "'''['!    «'^.,  /'J/  ',.«  n.«hfs  n,arch.      Was  U  .hen 

:;t':;:;n:;::::v;S^.i'r;/inlM  r:'«;^en  .■:y  ..^.o.  ti.  vete..  hayonets 

of  their  fresh  an.l  w.-U-ai.iMint.j.l  toe  ?  ^,^^  exigencies  of  this 

The  her..ic  .levotn.n  ol  ^V  asl....«     >     .^  J    ^J      ^^  ^^.,,„„  ,Ue  pledj^e 
metnorahlo  day      He  --/j;;  *; .  j  Vwl.en  trst  he  took  up  ar.ns  in  her  cau»e 
he  had  laid  on  the  altar  «'.  ^''''/ 7'  "> .  ^,,;  '     „,feat  at  Princeton  would  have 
,.  win  her  liberties  or  pensh  >»;1'«  f",  '^  "  yj^,\        ,  f^r,  independent  ol  the 
.mounted  to  the  annihdat.on  "'   r^'''^    ^^^^^J'J  .^^    of  the  Hritish  army  eight 
nnernv'>*  forces  in  front,  Cornwallis,  «"'»    ^"'^     "T-J  ,^^,.     n  was,  indeed,  the 
.hous'and  strong,  was  already  I'-^-^^^^J  ^^^      X>    "«  -cuts  of  little  more 
...y  crisis  of  the  struggle.     In  the  »'""'f  J  ^  '^^ '     ,„;.     What,  then,  is  due 
,U  one  short  week,  ''''-^y  -:  ;'i^t5^,fJ;,  'who  'witf.  the  master  of  liherty 
to  the  fame  and  memories  o    ^^'''^f'^^V^-ui' crisis  of  their  country's  destiny  ? 
at  their  head,  breasted  the  storm    Its  [^^^^  f     i^rxu,e^on  is  matter  of  history. 
The  heroic  devotion  of  Washington  on     «  t'*;  ^J'\      j       ever-memorable  event 
We  have  often  enjoyed  a  ^--^^^^^'^!^^'^  t  chief,  and  who  never  re- 

column,  when  the  ''-'Vl'l   Idflt     — ^^^^  -^  "°  !r"5" 

ing  to  the  spot  where   he  had   k  t  ^^^   ~        j  i,i,n  endeavoring  to  rally  tl  e 
there,  and,  upor-  looking  aromid,  the  aid  J'*^"^^^'^^  „f  ^^e  foe.     Wash- 

U„e  ^hich  h!.d  been  thrown  ";^;:,J'-;^:',JjJet 'fortunes  of  the  fight,  is  seen 
ington,  after  several  meflectua  elForts  to  r^«i«re  "  ^^  ^^^^^^ 

lo^em'  up  his  horse,  with  his  hea.  to  th  ^fe^;  ^^  re.med'to  say.  ".Will  you 
immoveable.     It  was  a  last  appeal  to   lis  «»'"'      '  .^^je  in  vain.      1 1  e 

,.ve  up  your  general  to  the  foe?  ^."  Lrand'^fo  m  iuto  line  ;  the  enemy  halt, 
discomfited  Americans  rally  °".*'^Vrhi«fL  between  the  adverse  posts,  as  though 
and  dre«s  their  line  ;  the  Amencar^^^chief  is  »>etw^«'  ^  ^^^^  lines  are  levelled 

he  had  been  placed  there,  a  target  tor  hoth^  J^Jf  ho„or-struck  at  the  danger  ol 
Can  escape  from  death  be  possible  ?  j  ^"f^Jf,;  "i^^e's  neck,  and  drew  las 
his  beloved  commander  <l^«,PPf /^^''^^^^J,  JjTe.  A  roar  of  musketry  succeeds, 
hat  over  his  face,  that  he  '"'t;*'^  ""^  J^f^  ^'^^^^^t  The  aid-de-camp  ventures  o 
and  then  a  shout.  It  was  ^^^^/^^  he  enemy  are  broken  and  flymg.  while 
raise  his  eyes,  and  oh,  glorious  ^'g^^J'^J;  ^^f^X  chief,  "  alive,  unharmed,  and 
dimly  amid  the  glimpses  of  the  moke  'y««^^'^J  ^^^Vades  to  the  pursuit, 
without  a  wound,"  waving  his  hat,  and  cheering  m,  -    ^^  American 

Colonel  Fitzgerald,  celebrated  as  one  of  the  h^st  l^^^^J^^^^,^^^  „f  ,he  dead 

gave  loose  to  his  feelings,  and  wept  like  a  child  for  joy. 


or  T1    ^  AMEKI'    \N  KLVol.l'TION. 


JT 


10  caiiipiugii 

ml  hikI  toil- 

'I'lic   line 

yiuiili,  and 

iniiiaiidfil  hy 
IV,  coiiHistt!!! 
1(1  left  il.t  ir 
K;  rimtrs  1)1"  a 
ey  had  lift-n 
Was  it  ihiii 
ran  bayoiicts 


111 


ncies  of  this 
the  pledge 
ill  her  cause 
I  would  hav»3 
eiideiil  of  the 
h  army   eiglit 
IS,  indeed,  tlie 
of  little  more 
t,  then,  is  due 
sler  of  lilierty 
itry's  destiny  ? 
liter  of  history. 
Binorahle  event 
who  never  re- 
lorvation,  with- 

the  rear  of  tlie 
Upon  return- 
was  no  longer 
ring  to  rally  the 
le  foe.     Wash- 
he  tight,  is  seen 
silion  to  become 
say,  "  Will  you 
e  in  vain.     'I'he 
the  enemy  halt, 
posts,  as  though 
lies  are  levelled, 
at  the  danger  of 
k,  and  drew  his 
sketry  succeeds, 
amp  ventures  to 
,nd  flying,  while 
!,  unharmed,  and 
0  the  pursuit, 
in  the  American 
Hess  of  the  dead 
I,  "  Thank  God ! 
varm-hearted  son 
)  ineltinH  mood" 


Wa9hinj,ton,  rver  ca)  .  )  *  >  i<  >l  the  gri  .t«gt  rxritement,  aflV'Ctionalely 
grasped  iht^  liaiiil  cii'  Ins  I  iind  frit'ii  md  ilien  ordered,  "  .-Vway,  my  dear  Colo- 
nel, and  hriiii;  up  the  '■  the  il  i\         »ur  own!" 

Karly  in  the  iiinrmii  ri   '"oriiwiilis  discovered  that  General  Wasliini^ton 

hail  dt'caiiipfd,  and  soon  .iltiTward  i  .r  rr'port  ut  the  artillery  in  the  iMii;ai,'i!Mii-iit 
wiili  (.'oloiifl  Mawhood  near  Princeton,  com iiu  cd  him  of  the  flireciuni  wliicli 
the  Ameriiaii  army  had  taken.  Alarmed  lor  the  salety  of  the  Hriii^h  stores 
at  .\ew  Uriiiiswick,  lie  advanced  rapidly  toward  I'rincetoii.  In  the  Aiiiericau 
army  it  had  indeed  been  jiroposed  to  make  a  forced  march  to  'Jew  Urimswick, 
wliire  all  the  baggage  of  the  Mritish  army  was  deposited  ;  but  thi;  complete  ex- 
haustion of  the  men,  who  had  been  without  rest,  a>id  almost  without  food  for  two 
days  anil  nights,  prevented  the  adoption  of  tlie  measure.  (>eneral  VVashington 
proceeded  toward  Morristown,  and  Ijord  Cornwallis  pressed  on  his  rear  ;  but  the 
Americans,  on  crossing  Millstone  river,  broke  down  the  bridge  at  Kingston,  to 
impede  the  progress  of  their  enemies  j  and  there  the  pursuit  ended.  IJoth  ar- 
mies were  completely  worn  out,  the  one  being  as  unable  to  pursue  as  the  otli(;r 
was  to  retreat.  (General  Washington  took  a  position  at  .Vlorristown,  and  Lord 
(Jornwallis  reached  New  Brunswick,  where  no  small  alarm  had  been  excited  by 
the  advance  of  the  Americans,  and  where  every  exertion  had  been  made  for  the 
removal  of  the  liaggage,  and  for  defending  the  place. 

General  Washington  fixed  his  headquarters  at  Morristown,  situated  among 
hills  of  ditVicult  access,  where  he  had  a  fine  country  in  his  rear,  from  which  he 
ccmld  easily  draw  supplies,  and  was  able  to  retreat  across  the  Delaware,  if  need- 
ful. Giving  his  troops  little  repose,  he  overran  both  East  and  West  Jersey, 
spread  his  army  over  the  Uaritan,  and  penetrated  into  the  county  of  Essex, 
where  he  made  himself  master  of  the  coast  opposite  Staten  Island.  With  a 
greatly  inferior  army,  by  judicious  movements,  he  wrested  from  '.he  British  al- 
most all  their  conquests  in  the  Jerseys.  New  Brunswick  and  Amboy  were  the 
only  posts  which  remained  in  their  hands,  and  even  in  these  they  were  not  a 
little  harassed  and  straitened.  The  American  detachments  were  in  a  state  of 
unwearied  activity,  frequently  surprising  and  cutting  ofT  the  British  advanced 
guards,  keeping  them  in  perpetual  alarm,  and  melting  down  their  numbers  by  a 
desultory  and  indecisive  warfare. 

General  Howe  had  issued  a  proclamation,  calling  on  the  colonists  to  support 
his  majesty's  government,  and  promising  them  protection  both  in  their  persons 
and  property.  General  Washington  accompanied  hia  successful  operations  with 
a  counter-proclamation,  absolving  the  inhabitants  from  their  engagements  to 
Britain,  and  promising  them  protection  on  their  submission  to  congress.  This 
was  a  seasonable  proclamation,  and  produced  much  effect.  Intimidated  by  the 
desperate  aspect  of  American  affairs  when  General  Washington  retreated  into 
Pennsylvania,  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Jerseys  had  taken  advantage  of 
General  Howe's  proclamation,  and  submitted  to  the  British  authority;  but  with 
respect  to  the  promised  protection,  they  had  been  entirely  disappointed.  Instead 
of  protection  and  conciliation,  they  had  been  insulted  by  the  rude  insolence  of  a 
licentious  soldiery,  and  plundered  with  indiscriminate  and  unsparing  rapacity. 
Their  passions  were  exasperated ;  they  thirsted  for  vengeance,  and  were  pre- 
pared for  the  most  vindictive  hostility  against  the  British  troops.  Hunce  the 
soldiers  could  not  venture  out  to  forage,  except  in  large  parties;  and  thev  f '.lom 
returned  without  loss. 

Their  licentious  insolence  and  merciless  rapacity  lost  more  than  their  bravery 
gained,  and  inspired  the  people  with  a  deadly  enmity  against  the  British  govern- 
•Tient. 

In  Ancient  warfare  the  vanquished  who  were  unable  to  make  their  ef^ape 
were  not  unfrequentlv  put  to  death  on   the  field  of  battle  ;  at  times  thoir  live* 


/J^SE'- 


VJ 


OK   rHK  WIKIUC.W  kkvoi.i;  TIDN. 


31* 


1/^1 


were  sparcil.  wlnn  it»iy  witc  sulil  ;im  slaves,  or  e'liervvUe  inateil  with  iii(li)iiiily 
ami  i-riicitv  ;  ''lit  ilie  inilil  ijt'iiniN  of  CliriNtiiiiiiiy  liii.s  eiiiniiiiiiiK'utud  its  ;>etitle 
uiiil  hffrfvoleiit  spifii  to  ull  ilie  rdiitioiis  of  lil'e,  Ims  sol'ieiied  even  llic  liorrul 
A' itures  ol  .viir,  and  iiiriisi'il  seiitiiiieiiis  iiinl  I'l'diii^s  of  kiniliiess  aiiini  ilie  iliii 
ol  anils.  AiiiDiit;  ilic  civilized  nations  ol'  nio<lerii  Kurope,  [)risoners-or-war  are 
coininonly  treated  with  humanity,  and  priiiL-iples  are  estaliiislied  on  wliiih  they 
sre  exehanijed.  The  Uritish  ollieers,  however,  eonsidered  the  Aiii'-rioans  m 
reltels  deservinp;  coiidiiTii  piniishinent,  and  not  entitled  to  the  syinpath'tic  treal- 
inent  cointnonly  shown  to  thi!  ('a|>tive  soldiers  ol'  indepiiideiii  natii>n!4.  They 
seem  to  have  thon^dit  tliat  the  Ainerieaiis  would  never  he  aide,  or  would  never 
dare  to  retaliate.  Hence,  at  first,  their  jirisoners  were,  in  some  instances, 
fiarshly  treated.  To  this  the  .\inericans  coulil  not  suhinit,  hut  reinonstrated  , 
and,  on  finding  their  rcMiionstrances  disref^anled,  tjiey  aiio|iie(l  a  system  of  retali- 
ation, which  occasioned  much  unmerited  sutlerili<f  to  iiidlMdinls,  and  rellecteil 
no  lionor  on  any  of  the  contending;  parties.  Colonel  Kthan  .\lleii,  who  hid  heeii 
defeated  and  made  prisinier  in  a  hold  attempt  aj^ainst  .Montreal,  was  jnit  in  irons, 
and  sent  to  Knuland  as  a  traitor.     In  retaliation,  (lenerul  I'rescott,  whoiiad  heeri 


close  confinement,  for   the    avowed 
•h   wolouel   .Vlleii  should  sufl'er. 
•fi  leans,  were    mort;   ri;;orously 
nd,  that  they  might  not  impute 
listiiictly  told  that  their  own 


taken  at  the  month  of  the  Sorel,  was  put 
purpose  of  subjecting  him  to  the  sac 
Hoth  olliceis  and   privates,  prisoi 
confined  than  they  would  otherwij.    '  . 

.is  to  wanton  harshness  and  cruel. ^,  i.ai._, 
superiors  only  were  to  blame  for  any  scviie  treatment  they  might  experience. 

'I'lio  capture  of  General  Lee  became  the  occiision  of  embittering  the  com- 
|)laints  on  this  subject,  and  of  aggravating  the  suHerings  of  the  prisoners-of-war. 
Before  that  event,  something  like  a  cartel  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners  had  been 
established  between  Generals  Howe  and  Washington  ;  but  the  captivity  of  Gen- 
eral I.ee  interrupted  that  arrangement.  The  general  liad  been  an  ollicer  in  the 
Britisli  army;  but,  having  been  disgusted,  had  resigned  his  commission,  and,  at 
the  beginning  of  the  troubles,  had  offered  his  services  to  congress,  which  were 
readily  accepted.  General  Howe  aU'ected  to  consider  him  iis  a  deserter,  and 
ordered  him  into  eiose  coidinement. 

(ieneral  Washington  had  no  prisoner  of  eipial  rank,  but  offered  six  Hessian 
field-otlicers  in  exchange  for  him  ;  ami  required  that,  if  that  oiler  should  not  be 
aci'cpted,  (.ieneral  Lee  should  be  treated  according  to  his  rank  in  the  Anieiican 
army.  (Tcneral  Howe  rejdied  that  General  Fice  was  a  deserter  from  his  maj- 
esty's service,  and  could  not  be  considered  as  a  prisoner-of-war,  nor  come  within 
the  conditions  of  the  cartel.  A  fruitless  discussion  ensued  between  tlu^  com- 
manders-in-chief. Congress  took  up  the  matter ;  and  resolved  that  tieneral 
Washiuglon  be  directed  to  inform  General  Howe,  thal^should  the  prollered  ex- 
cluinge  of  si.v  Hessian  field-officers  tor  General  Lee  not  be  accepted,  and  his 
former  treatment  continued,  the  princi[)le  of  retaliation  shall  occa.sion  live  of  the 
Hessian  field-officers,  together  with  Ijieutenant-Colonel  .\rchibald  Campbell,  or 
any  other  officers  that  are  or  shall  be  in  possession  of  the  Americans,  e({uivalent 
in  number  or  quality,  to  be  detained,  in  order  that  the  treatment  which  General 
Ijcc  shall  receive  may  be  exactly  inflicted  upon  their  per.Mnis.  Congress  also 
ordt  red  a  copy  of  their  resolution  to  be  transmitted  lo  the  council  of  Massachu- 
setts May,  ami  that  they  be  desired  lo  detain  Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell,  and 
km'p  him  in  close  custody  till  the  further  orders  of  congress  ;  and  that  a  copy 
be  also  sent  to  the  committee  of  congress  in  Philadelphia,  and  that  they  be  de- 
siied  to  have  the  prisoners,  officers  and  privates,  lately  taken,  properly  secured 
in  some  safe  place. 

The  honorable  Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell,  of  the  71st  regiment,  with  about 
^70  of  his  men,  after  a  brave  and  obstinate  defence,  had  been  made  prisoners  ia 


^,,^^  -niE  picToHiAL  HisroiiY 

L  ,.y  of  B...-.n.  while  ..aing  i.r  the  '-'-/^r- ^^^S "  1^  ^I  ^ 
own  ^  th..  Bru».h.      Huherto  ^^e  -  -M,  had   h     .  ^^^^^   .^  ^i,,,,eh«.eUs  Bay. 
coiv.ng  the  order  of  con^^ress  respeUing         .  ^^^^.^^j^     ^^  o^der,  wuh  a  reta ha- 
instead  of  sunply  keepu.g  hun  '^ -{^^^^     3  \,,n  u,  ^  du..||eo„,  about  twelve 
Ungzeal,  sent  hi.u  D  ^•^"JY^'^J'' ^\Xd    u  by  double  boUs,  and  expressly  p.o- 
or  thirteen  feet  square      Me  ^va^  locked  m     V    ^.^^^^^^^-^^^  whatever 
hU,ilo.l  from  entering  the  P"^"";^'^^'^^  "J  '"^,,,,„a„der.in-chief  of  suchtreatn.cnl 
■rhat  officer  .uUural  v  -'^'"P  '""^''i  ^/vVash    gto..  on  the  subject.     'Hie  latter 
,„.l  General  llowe  addressed  ^l^^--^  ^^^^j  ^^^^^       Bay,  and  said:  "You   w.l 
unmedialely  wrote  to  the  '^«»"    J  "^   7,~^^    shown  to  Colo.tel  Catripbell  and 
observe  that  exactly  the  same  ^-"^f  "f '^;Xws  to  General  Lee  ;  and  as  he  » 
,Le  nessiati  oHicers.  thai  ^^^^i.^^^Ji^;  I,  teel  acco.nmodatior,,  we  have  no 
only  coulined  to  a  commodtons  house    wtiu  ^^^^^^  ^   ^^^j^       ^e  un- 

S:;e^r,:e^^=^^-  SSon,  an^  put  tnto  a  house  where  he 

put  an  officer  of  equal  rank  into  ;J«  ^^^" j!  °;  ;^,,    300  American  officers  pnso,,- 

Ls  effected.     At  that  time  the  »"  i*;^  X'si  offi<=*^^^  ^^«^""^'"'^'  '"^  '^'^  ^      t 
ers  ;  while  the  An.encans  had  not  ^^^^'^^  ^^       American  officers  were  sent 

serv'ice.     In  the  .nonth  of  J^/S^^^;  ^e  i^^^^^^^^^^         -'  ^^"  ^^'^""^  f  "m  w 
to  Long  IsW  on  parole  and  billeted  on^^^^  ^^^^^,.,^^..1   „,  tUe  New 


F10.97.-The  old  Jail  in  New  York. 


were  deficient  in  quantity,  and  "l^  J^^^^'J"^ Jent,  they  were  importuned  to 
cold  and  hunger.  Under  that  ;"'g?^^X^ematned  fdthful  to  their  engagements 
enlist  in  the  British  service,  but  gene^^^^^^^  ^^  ignorant  and  cruel 

under  all  their  privations  and  «"J*'.""f "•  .^J^e  in  the  treatment  of  the  Ameri- 
policy  seem  to  have  operated  ^^^^^.^^'^i^^hei!  pockets  by  their  nefarious 
Ln  prisoners.     The  contractors  indeed  filled  m       P  ^^^^  ^^p^     d,  by 

Sbr^t?^^^^e^«;^^;£  BriAsh  army,  or  to  deter  the  col. 


OF  TMK  AMEIUCAN   Hb'.VOLUTION. 


'ZZ\ 


iatioii  of  till" 
;  but,  on  rt- 
husells  Bay, 
ith  a  retalia- 
iboul  twelve 
cpressly  jno- 
r. 

:h  treiUmciil 
The  laiier 
:  "You  wil! 
Campbell  and 
ind  as  he  is 
,  we  have  no 
nsh  to  be  ini- 
ise  where  he 

leral  Prescoii 
I  an  exchange 
•fficers  prisou- 
r  to  the  British 
cers  were  sent 
)Uar8  a  week  • 
i  in  the  New 
I  Cunningham 


ivil)bet  confesseu 
rl  by  starvation, 
:h  they  received 

the  men  died  of 
re  importuned  to 
leir  engagements, 
norant  and  cruel 
lent  of  the  Ameri- 
)y  their  nefarious 
who  expected,  by 
r  to  deter  the  colo- 


n.Ms  Iron,  ioining  the  standards  of  th.-ir  tountry,  w.io  uilcrly  disappoiiaed. 
S  elSnmrht  hav.  gained  good  w.ll  ;  bn,  Un-  harsh  and  ""  ;;  -«^-«« 
'vhich  many  of  then,  experienced  only   exasperated  .he  passions  ol  the   A.n,  r, 

..^s,  and  contributed  to\he  recrnmng  of  Genera    ^^Y'",'? ri^se'^^'m  .sserttn. 
While  General  Washington  was  actively  employed  in  the  Jerse)  s  in  asserting 
,he  Xendenceof  America,  congress  could  not  '^A'-  J"'-"- ;,^,^:.:  ^'^  .^ 
but  that  body  was  active  in  promoting  the   same  cause,  by  its  «>"^^  "«    ;''     "J 
recommendations      Hitherto  the  colonies  had  been  united  by  no  bond  but    ha. 
r.he"      ommon  danger  and  common  love  of  liberty.     Congress  resolved  to 
render  the  terms  of  their  union  more  definite,  to  ascertain  the  r.gh  s  and  duties 
"he  sev^  a  llonies,  and  their  mutual  obligations  toward  each  other      A  co.n- 
itte e  was  appointed  to  sketch  the  principles  of  the  union  or  confederation. 
'"  This  commfttee  presented  a  report  in  thirteen  ArUrles  of  f-M.^  ^^   .-^ 
,„-r„etnal  Union  between  the  states,  and  proposed,  that,  instead  of  cal  ing  ibtm- 
Gv.    the  United  Coloniks,  as  they  had  hitherto  done,  they   shun  d  assu.ne 
'he  narne  of  the  United  States  ok  America  ;  that  each  state  should  retain   Is 
oveergnty  freedom,  and  independence,  and  every  power,  jurisdiction,  at.d  r.gh 
vhiJh  is  not  by  the  confederation  expressly  delegated  to  the  United   States 
cone  ess  assembled  ;  that  they  enter  into  a  firm  league  for  mutual  deie.ice  :  th.i 
r^erinTabUaits  of  any  of  the  states  shall  be  entitled  to  the  privileges  and 
ImiUies  o?Vree  citizen's  m  any  other  state  ^jhat  any  traitor  or  ^--^I'j^-l-^' 
fleeing  from  one  state  and  found  in  another,  shall  be  delivered   u  .  to  'he   sta  e 
av    5  jurisdiction  of  his  offence  ;  that  full  faith  and  credit  shall  be   given   in 
:  h^/rstttestothe  records,' acts,  and  judicial  P-ceedings  of  ever^  other 
state-  that  deletiates  shall  be  annually  chosen,  in  such  manneras the  legislature 
n:;hlte1a  direct,  to  meet  in  Congress  on  the  "-^^ -^^-t'!:! '  at^^a.^vtm; 
with  power  to  each  state  to  recall  its  delegates,  or  a"y  of  them   at  a.iy  t.n^ 
within  the  year,  and  to  send  others  in  their  stead  ;  that  no  state  shall  be  repre 
Ten^d  Kiigr'ess  by  less  than  two  or  more  than  seven  niembers  an    no  ,.rson 
shall  be  a  delegate  for  more  than  three  out  of  six  years,  nor  shall  any  delegate 
Sa  place  oVemolumet.t  under  the  United  States  ;  tj--ch  state  shal   mam- 
tain  its  own  delegates  ;  that  in  congress  each  state  shall  ^aveoidy  one  vote 
that  freedom  of  speech  shall  be  enjoyed  by  ^^e  "u^mbers  ;  and  .hat  W  ^^H  be 
frp^  from  arrest  except  for  treason,  felony,  or  breach  of  the  peace  ,  that  no  state, 
t  t;iutreTot:nT:Fcongress,  shall  rieive  -y;-^--'XeTn"n;"ortl7e 
treatv  with  any  foreign  power ;  that  no  person  holding  any  office  in  any  o     lie 
UnUed  States 'sha  I  riceive  an^  presem,  office,  or  title,  from  any  foreign  sUi  e 
and  Siat  neither  congress  nor  any  of  the  states  shall  grant  any  titles  of  nobility  ; 
i  t  tro  or  morel^^^^^^^^^  into  any  confederation   whatever 

whhouttriTent  of  congress;  that  no  state  shall  ""P;-  ^J^  ^v^S 
may  interfere  with  treaties  made  by  congress  ;  tha  in  '"^^  «^  P^^^^^i^'^^XIiy 
of  war  or  military  force  shall  be  kept  up  in  any  of  the  stales  but  ^y  the  auinoriiy 
of  congresT  but  every  state  shall  have  a  well-regulated  and  disc.plmed  m.li  u 
ttTstat;,  unless  fnvaded,  shall  engage  in  war  without  'fe  -.-;•  o  «.- 
jrn^s  nor  shall  thev  grant  letters  of  marque  or  reprisal  till  alter  a  declardtion  o. 

wrbyTongres;^^^^^^^  '-  ^fT"       llxlt 

^t  slature  of  each  statf  for  its  own  troops  ;  that  the  expenses  ot  war  shall  be 
KTd  out  of  a  comino,.  treasury,  sup.-iied  by  the  --Ta  states  according  to 
the  value  of  the  land  in  each  ;  that  taxes  shall  be  imposed  and  »«y'«^  °y  ™^^^^ 

of  the  states  ;  that  congress  have  the  sole  and  exclusive  right  and  power      ri.gu 


-..- — .rf!T?;i«!i£«»«i*''S' 


THE  PICTOKIAL  HISTORY 

service  of  the  XhuU-A  Stafs,  '■>''«1'\  ^f  "'  '.^„  ..UateVer  in  the  service  ol  tl.e 
:„  the  naval  force,  and  -'"'"-r"^.;  ,  t  nd  regnhu.on  of  the  sanl  u.ul 
„nite,.l  States.  ^^^'^'^ ''^'''■^''' hfZ^^s  ,  that  congress  have  aulhonty  to 
a„.l  naval  forces,  and  *1'^^;'^  '"^^'^''^  ,"  "rerss,  o  be  denominated  a  Com.n.n. 
appoint  a  comnuttee  to  sit  'l^^'^  ^  f  J^'^^  t^,,,  each  state  ;  that  congress  shall 
}\he  Srat.s,  and  t..  consist  ol  ""^  ^  J^  J  ^J'^*^.  „,„.,v  to  be  raised  for  the  ser- 
ine power  to  ascertain  the  "j^--.  > /J  ,,:'  „..i  ,pply  the  same,  to  borrow 
vice  of  the  United  States,  an.l    o    ,M  F"f  J\^  ^uild  and  eqmp  a  nas  >  . 

money  or  emit  bills  on  the  credit  ot  the     ''^  f  i,,„„,  f,^„,  each  state  lor  us 

to  lix  the  number  oi  land  f^''^^'«^'';;;'  y*^^,^^;,  inhSbilants  in  such  state  ;  that  the 
^uota.  in  proporti.m  to  'l''',"'""'''^  ,J ',,  «  ^a,  y  great  public  measure  ol  commou 
consent  of  nine  states  ^^'f '  '^,,  'f  lowe  to  adjourn  to  any  time  within  the  year, 
interest;  that  cmi^ress  shall    i-cpowr  l«      J  j.^^,^,„„^„t  „„i  to  exceeu 

and  to  any  place  within  the  l^"  .^'^^^^^i-j^j  '  !i,  proceedings  monthly,  exceptim 
s,x  months  ;  and  that  the>;  «''^  '  J  ^^'^J  ^' ,/  „  iUtLy  operations,  as  in  their  jiidg- 
such  parts  relating  to  treaties  ^l'^^''^*^^'  \''„  ,  „,\he  delegates  ol  each  state 
.„ent  require  secrecy  ;  that  the  V-  ^  f^,;Xd  extracts  granted ;  that  the  Cm- 
,.all.  tf  requi,.d,_be  --^d  on  1.  journal.  ^^^^^^ 


inem  ici)""-'  "• —  -j   •  .  ,       nnnial.  anu  exiriii;ia  ui ".•"■""  ■> 

shall,  if  required,  be  entered  «'  j'"^  J^  f '^jt,,,,  during  the  recess  of  congress. 

„„tlee  of  the  Htutes,  or  any  """^  "'  '^Vv^si  the m  with  ;  that  Canada,  if  willing, 
exercise  such  powers  as  conges    sluUle^^^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^  ^^1         ,,,, 

,haU  he  admitted  to  all  the  ad vant.igesoI  uie  ,  ^.^^^^  .  ^j^.^^     i, 

'^'admitted,  unless  such  adnussio;,  ^^ta^l  b  ^^^^^^^J^^^^  ,y  eongress  betore 
bills  of  credit  emitted.  •''*'"''y,';.,''"""^,f ^j,"  United  States  ;  that  every  state  shall 
this  confederation,  shall  be  ^^  .^'^f;^,  ^  ^'^^  .n  questions  submitted  to  them  by 
abide  by  the  determinations  ''»  ^ ""'-'^  .^j.*';;,„  ^\  inviolably  observed  by  every 
this  confederation  ;  that  tl.   ar  icles  "^  ^j^.^^n  ,,,  „„de.  unless  agreed 

t^X:^,  :;frZr.:2:lJ  by  t,.  legisla.m.  of  every  state. 


9 Ureal  Seal    .  the  United  fitiUes 

Bion,  at  thirtv-nine  sitti.ms.  the  articles  «^^^^«  J».  ,  j  approbation,  were  ratified 
;  the  several  state  ''•^it'T;:h':f  n'^o  el^  7^7  Congress  rnait.tained  an 
„V  all  the  delegates  on  the    5th  °    Novembe     17^  s  ^^ 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


223 


•  thai  of  ih« 
ulatiiij:   lli< 
rces  ill  "iw 
the  olfiieris 
srvicc  lit"  thf 
le  said  land 
authority  to 
I    Cotniniltif 
ingress  shall 
lor  the  st-r- 
i,  to  borrow 
jquip  a  navy, 
I  state  lor  its 
Lie  ;  thai  the 
3  of  coninu'U 
hin  the  year, 
jt  to  exceed 
ily,  exceptino 
in  iheir  juds?- 
if  each   state 
that  the  Cum- 
!  of  congress, 
ida,  if  willina. 
colony  shall 
ales  ;  that  all 
jugress  before 
cry  state  shall 
d  to  them  by 
rved  by  every 
unless  agreed 
v  stale. 


er  much  discu? 
rress,  transmitted 
lion,  were  ralifieJ 
}s  maintained  an 
aspect.  It  wa» 
cward  carried  on 


and,  considered  as  a  first  essay  of  legislative  wisdom,  it  discovers  a  f^j^nnier 
•tandintr  and  an  extensive  knowledge  of  the  structure  of  society.     Had  peace 
S    oncluded   before  the   settlement  of  this  confederation,  the   staes   would 
pXbly  have  broken  down  into  so  many  independent  governments,  and  tho 
strength  of  the  union  been  lost  in  a  number  of  petty  sovereignties 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Let  us  now  attend  to  the  proceedings  of  congress.     The   colomes   had  been 
drawn  into  the  war  bv  a  train  of  unforeseen  events,  and  had  made  no  preparation 
for  a  great  and  protracted  struggle.     Their  finances  soon  failed  ;    and  they 
severely  felt  the  want  of  arms  and  military  stores.     About  the  middle  of  January 
congress  entered  on  the  cm.sideration  of  the  state  of  the  treasury,  and  resolved 
to  provide  funds  for  maintaining  the  war,  by  issuing  bills,  under  their  authority, 
which  were  to  pass  .  nrrent,  at  their  nominal  value,  m  all  payments  and  dealings 
throughout  the  states.     In  the  difficult  and  embarrassing  circumstances  m  which 
they  were  placed,  it  perhaps  would  not  have  been  easy  to  have  devised  any 
better  scheme  for  supporting  the  cause  of  the  Union  ;  but  a  compulsory  paper 
currency  was  certainly  a  pernicious  expedient,  destined  to  prove  most  ruinous 
to  those  who  had  most  confidence  in  it,  and  who  were  most  devoted  to  the  sup- 
port of  their  country.     The  paper-currency  of  congress  soon  becam   depreciated 


No.  t^r^/ 


Six  ^Ol£mi8> 

THIS  Bill  rutttU:thi 
„ flewfi*  to  ttctWe 

SIX  SPAKloH  MILLED 
DOLLAR'S,  ur -the 
•Valutthfr,„f  inGOISt 
oi'.SILVER,.n«im(li*  f  0 
'iHfsiilutioii  of  CON= 
CRESS  riUiiUat  Phv 

(J  JicMMii 


fio.  99.— Continental  Money. 

This  led  from  one  mistake  into  another,  and  induced  them  to  attempt  to  fix  the 
prices  of  commodities  ;  a  measure  which  must  always  prove  abortive,  and  which 
introduced  incalculable  confusion  and  misery  into  America,  involving  many  lam- 

ilies  in  ruin.  ,  ^  ,  ,,,  .     r  w    , 

Conirress  decreed  a  monumem  to  the  memory  ot  (.eneral  Warren,  who  lell  ai 
Bunker's  Hill;  and  one  to  the  memory  of  General  Mercer,  who  was  nmrially 
wounded  in  the  rencounter  with  Colonel  Mawhood  near  Princeton.  1  hey  w.r- 
much  alarmed  by  the  langour  and  supineness  which  everywhere  prevailed 


.-.;  ■iiajw-i^'*"*-'''-' 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

Duriu,  those  conv..lsions  in  tl- J-;^;^!:^  S^ul.^^:t.^r;o' S 
accuston\e,l  to  colonuil  '^""M'.l;""'^  /^"^  Jl^J^j^^^^^^^^  „g,ess  of  the  contest,  or  to 
own  unme.liate  interests,  paul  no  J  -Jg^  o  giiate.l.  Large  maj<.rmes  m 
tho  importance  of  the  principles  n.  ;jhicn   ii       >  ^.^^^^^^^  proceedings  ; 

both  houses  of  parliament  ^"PP''';^;  ..'^^^ J"','  'S    nen  of  distinguished   talents, 
and  ahhough  a  small  "\""'"^  ^  .\"  j  'S.^Vf  t Le  court  should  succeed  in  es.al,- 

zeal  additional  energy.  warlike  operations,  the  difficulties  of  the 

But,  amid  all  the  pop«la"  Y  of  '\7^;„™  J^  of  hostilities  with  the  Amen- 
ministry  soon  began  to  multiijy.  J"^°"?^£^,  experienced  a  scarcity  of  the 
can  provinces,  the  British  West  ^"^^JJ^  ^^'^V,,?  Indian  fleet  was  about  to 
necessaries  of  life.  About  the  ^'-"/jXySje  it  was  discovered  that  the  ne- 
set  sail,  under  convoy,  on  1«  ^'""^^,;^^^^^^^^^^  of  the  draughts  to  com- 

sjroes  of  Jamaica  meditated  an  »n^""«^"?^^^  -J.^^^  inland  had  been  weakened  ; 
plete  the  army  in  A™e"ca,  the  .mluarj  force  m  v  .       ^^^  „,        ,.     By 

knd  the  ships-of-war  were  detained  to  *^«;^;  J"  •  P^'.^eir  privateers.  After  the 
this  delay,  the  Americans  g^'"f  ""^^/"^Xr^cnd  many  of  the  ships,  richly 
fleet  sailed,  it  was  dispersed  by  J^f  ^f^JJ;,,  „ho  were  permitted  to  sell 
laden,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  A-mer  can  cruise  ^^^^  ^^^^^^ 

Er  'pri-«  in  the  ports  ^^J^"' .^^^T  so^o^^  "™^^^^^ 

This  unfriendly  '^""duct  of  France  was  spy      ^^^^  ^^^  British  cabinet 
longer  be  winked  at,  and  It  drew  forth  a  rejnstr  .^^  ^^.^.^^  ^,,3 

Thl  remonstrance  was  <=^^^"y  ^Xfn  tt^rendi  ports  in  Europe  ;  but  it  was 
carried  on  somewhat  more  coverU^  m  the  ^^^^^  J^^  ^^^^^  preparation  for  war. 
evident  that  both  France  and  SP«'"  ^'^J*  ^^^^  '  eyes  against  the  gathering  storm, 
The  British  ministry  could  "«  »?"g«'^  «^^"3^^  ^  October,  1776,  they  put  six- 
and  began  to  prepare  for  it.     About  the  miome  ^^^.^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^ 

leen  additional  ships  into  ^^r'^'^rlntmr  and  during  its  session  some  other 
On  the  3l8t  of  October  the  parliament  met.  ^mlj^ri  g      ^^^  .^^^^^^^^  ^     j^^ 

attempts  were  made  fo'J^S'tLrwte  ^  crpS^^  defeated,  and  the  plans 
ministry  was  so  powerful  that  they  w^'^e  aii       ^       •  f  parliament. 

™f  administration  received  the  -PP™J;"°";;/ ^e^L^^^^^^      ^^  ^ew  Bruns- 

During  the  winter,  which  was  ve     severe  the  considerable  pnva- 

wick  and  Amboy  were  kept  on  constant  du^y.^^^^  ^^.^.^^  ,ould 

tions.     lue  Americans  were  y^S^^^"' iVfiXing      But  although  in  the  course 

seldom  procure  P'<>r^°"^°' ^"'^SeTSs  ha^^^^^^        ^°  ^«"  "^  ""^^^  P'^'TJ 
of  the  winter  the  afTairs  of  the  TTnited  htates  "^a      8  provinces.     By 

1  aspect,  yet  0.ere  was  still  "-/. /"J^t^E  ha^^ 
heir  open  attachment  to  the  British  nterest,  numbers  n  j  ^^  g^^^^^„ 

selves  to  the  vengeance  of  the  «P"W^-"J j-^  t„S^^^^^^ 

or  distrust  of  the  American  cause  gjeheu  co^^^^^^^^^       ^^^^^  „,en  joined  the 

Howe.     Early  in  the  season  a  <=«"«"^«;f '^j^^Ton  of  the  commander-in-chie. 
general  of  the  loyal  P'o^^^'^^^^^^lf  . ,  ^  bv  rapid  predatory  incursions  and  bold 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 


22a 


iritain,  long 
ly  to  theii 
unlest,  or  lo 
lajorities  in 
roceediugs  ; 
litid  talents, 
ed  in  estiib- 
suies  of  ad- 
il  in  favor  of 
76,  gave  that 

lulties  of  the 
ti  the  Ameri- 
arciiy  of  the 
ivas  about  to 
that  the  ne- 
ights  to  cnn\- 
in  weakened ; 
legroes.     By 
•s.     After  the 
!  ships,  richly 
mitted  to  sell 
it  Indies, 
lat  it  could  no 
ritish  cabinet 
ih  prizes  was 
e  ;  but  it  was 
iration  for  war. 
athering  storm, 
,  they  put  six- 
)  man  them, 
ion  some  other 
nfluence  of  the 
,  and  the  plans 
ent. 

at  New  Bruns- 
jiderable  priva- 
sh  army  could 
igh  in  the  course 

a  more  promis- 
provinces.  By 
y  exposed  them- 
ection  to  Britain 
id  to  Sir  William 
men  joined  the 
imander-in-chief, 

an  allotment  of 
d  been  extremely 
3  rank  of  major- 

ursions  and  bold 
fifty  miles  above 
t  the  winter,  they 
luipage.loBupply 


U,e  stations  in  'he  vicinity  as  o.casuu.  ..uiit.t  r.^iuire^  Gcjenil  ^^ ' -»  "f^ "^ 
,H,siUon  was  naturally  strong,  and  dur.ntr  ,1h-  win.or  he  a.ided  n..n>  .i  h  ul 
lortiticatious.  The  nmt  mountumous  pari  ..t  the  d.slnct,  named  '..e  .Manor  uf 
Cortland,  wa.  formed  into  a  kind  of  citad..!.  replen.shed  wit.t  stores,  an.  l  t-^^k- 
skill  served  as  a  port  to  it.  On  the  23d  ol  .March,  as  soon  as  tl.e  riser  was 
clear  of  ice,  General  Howe,  who  thoufiht  I'eekskill  ol  more  importance  than  U 
really  was,  detached  Colonel  Hir.l.  with  about  500  men,  under  convoy  ot  a  Ingate 
LdLme  armed  vessels,  against  that  post.  General  -^I-jDo^ga  '  v;"^,;^"^ 
manded  there,  had  then  only  about  250  men  ni  the  place.  He  had  tiielv  notice 
"colonel  Bird's  approacli  ,  and,  sensible  that  h.s  post  was  untenal,  e,  he  ex- 
erted himself  to  remove  the  stores  to  the  sirt>ng  :rrounds  about  two  miles  an.  a 
half  in  his  rear;  but  before  he  had  made  much  progress  in  the  work  tlie  british 
appeared,  when  he  set  tire  to  the  stores  and  buddings,  an.l  retreate.l.  Colonel 
Bud  landed,  and  completed  the  destruction  of  the  stores  winch  he  was  unable 
to  remove.     On  the  same  .lay  he  reimbarked,  an.l  ref.r.ied  to  New  \  ork 

On  the  13th  of  April,  Lord  Cornwall.s  and  General  Grant  w.lh  about  2  000 
men  attempted  to  surprise  and  cut  off  General  Lincoln,  who,  with  500  men. 


Fio.  100. — Portrait  of  General  Lincoln. 
was  posted  at  Bound  Brook,  seven  miles  from  New  Brunswick,  and  nearly  suc- 
ceeded in  their  enterprise.     But,  by  a  bold  and  rapid  movement,  Lincoln,  when 
almost  surroundad,  forced  his  way  between  the   British  columns  and  escaped, 
with  the  loss  of  sixty  men,  his  papers,  three  field-pieces,  and  some  baggage. 

At  that  early  period  of  the  campaign.  Sir  William  Howe  attempted  no  grand 
novemem  against  the  American  commander-in-chief;  hut  he  made  several  effort* 
«  interrupt  his  communications,  destroy  his  stores,  and  impede  his  operations 
He  had  received  information  that  the  Americans  had  collected  a  large  quantity 
itf  stores  in  the  town  of  Danbury,  and  in  other  places  on  the  borders  of  Connec- 
licut.  These  he  resolved  to  destroy  ;  and  appointed  Major-General  Tryou  of 
the  prov'ncials,  who  panted  for  glory  in  his  newly-acquired  character,  to  com- 
mand an  expedition  for  that  purpose  ;  but  prudently  directed  Generals  Agnew 
ind  Sir  Willid..'  Erskine  to  accompany  him. 

On  the  25th  of  Ap.il,  the  detachment,  consisting  of  2,000  men,  under  a  propel 

16 


.— .-*«..; 


li-'ir^f^  •-•«•< 


THE  PICTORHI.  HISTORY 


"K'e*^ 


a„d  Arnol.1,  were  »7\«  "'  "     ,j,,„  |„i.,ny,  »"J  a"«ke.l  *»"  '?";^,  ,,„„ 

by  .n  irregular  «""f";f '  ,re»sioi.  ot  a  briJge  <>™' 'M, ^^^""f  S  guide 

„„a,  *„„         g  _^^  co„*,a.e,«i.  JiJ  .-;X^ 

The  inj'J'y.''™'  Sh  .«..ai"«'l  >"  *«  "1""'"' t',,V  t.H"  .h.  American, 
,l,e  loss  "'''">;  *V;„„Je,l,  or  laker,  pri.one".      "re  '"'J  n,  Oon..ecUcu' 

much  spirit.     The  peopb^  of  New       s      ,„,    e,„e.u  to  the  ^-^^  -"f  "^J^^  j.  and 
»n  rcpeUing  ^f  V'"*^"'^^?";'.  ^f/l"  of  General  Wooster  wa.  much  lament 
if  those  hostile  visits.      1  h-  ^t*'''^ 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTlOiN. 


W7 


irfieltl  and 
:hree  miles 
make  any 
I  the  town. 
U  of  flour  ; 
1,700  tents, 
iricans.  At 
8  destroyed 

Fry  on  began 
with  no  re- 


livan,  "Wooster, 
rooster,  with  a 
rear  ;  but  this 
1,  in  the  seven 
posted  himself 
A  smart  en- 
and  the  British 

eld. 

t  were  assaileu 
nd  from  behind 
atuck,  by  which 

but  their  guide 
ericans,  deeming 

opposition  ;  but 
sh  regained  their 

(1  not  compensate 
ally  400  of  their 
tf  the  Americans 
f  the  Connecticut 
ijected  themselves 
;outest  discovered 
ourage  and  energy 
fre'..en».  repetition 
luch  lamented,  and 


congtess  decreed  a  inoimnieul  to  his   memory.     General   Arnold's  activity  and 
finirago  mpt  with  tlio  approDation  of  his  superiors. 

The  British  troops  wer«  not  penuitied  to  carry  on  their  sudden  incursions  and 
predatory  attacks   witlu.ut   retaliation.     On   the   8tl»  of  May,  General    Stevens. 
ml\i  a  consiclcr.ible  tbrce,  attucke.l  the   British  post  at  Piscataway,  where  the 
Wd  regiment  was  stationed  ;  but,  after  a  furious  engagement,  he   was  repulsed. 
A  considtriihle  quantity  of  grain,  forage,  and   otlu-r  necessaries,  for   the   use  ol 
the  royal  armv,  was  collected  al  Sag  Harbor  in  Long  Island  ;  where  they  were 
but  slightly  guarded,  as  the  nuiuber  ol   British  cruisers  in  the  sound  seemed  to 
.secure  them  Iroiu  all  danger.     Of  these  circumstances  the  American  Genera 
Parsons   gained   inforniaiion  ;  and,  on   the  23d   of  May,  he   detached   Colonel 
Meigs,  with   a   party  of    170  men,  who   h^ft   Guildford   in  Connecticut,  at  one 
o'clock  in  the  aflern'oon,  crossed  the  sound  in  thirteen  whale-boats,  attended  by 
three  sloops  :  landed  on   the  north  part  of  the   island   near  Southhold,  at  six 
o'clock  in  the  evening ;  carried  his  boats  over  a  neck  of  land  ;  reimbarked,  and 
cnjssed  the  bav  between  the  lu.rth  and  south  parts  of  the  island,  and,  at  twelve 
o'clock  at  night,  landed  within  four   miles  of  Sag   llarbor.     Leaving  his   boats 
under  the  protection  of  a  slender  guard,  he  advanced  silently  toward  the  place 
of  destination,  and,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  began  the  attack  with  hxed 
bavonots.     The  alarm  soon  became   genen-l,  and   a   discharge  of  musketry  on 
both  sides  ensue.l  ;  but   the    Americans   succeeded   in  burning  the   stores   and 
twelve  vessels.     They  also  killed  six  men,  took  ninety  prisoners,  and  only  six 
of  the  party  who  guarded  the  place  escaped.     Colonel  Meigs,  without  having  a 
man  either  killed  or  wounded,  relurne.l  with  his  prisoners  to  Guildtord,  where 
he  arrived  at  two  o'clock  on  the  24th  ;  having,  in  the  space  of  twenty-five  hours, 
traversed  by  sea  and  land  no  less  than  ninety  miles. 

When  mentioning  these  achievements  of  desultory  warfare,  we  may  "ere  re- 
late  another  enterprise  of  the  same  kind,  although  it  did  not  happen  till  the  10th 
of  July— the  capture  of  General  Prescott.  That  officer  was  commander  ot 
Rhode  Island,  and  had  his  headquarters  on  the  west  side  of  the  island,  near 
Narraganset  bay,  about  a  .piarter  of  a  mile  from  the  shore,  and  at  some  distance 
from  any  body  of  troops.  lie  was  but  slii'hlly  guarde.l,  trusting  chiefly  for  se- 
curity to  the  numerous  cruisers,  and  to  a  guard-ship,  which  lay  in  the  bay  oppo- 
site to  his  quarters.  ,   , 

Colonel  Barton,  at  the  head  of  forty  men,  officers  and  volunteers  passed  by 
night  from  Warwick  Neck  to  Rhode  island  ;  and  although  they  had  a  passage 
often  miles  by  water,  yet,  by  keeping  near  the  land,  they  eluded  the  vigihnce 
of  the  British  ships-of-war  and  guard-boats  which  surrounded  the  island.  Ihey 
conducted  their  enterprise  with  such  silence  and  address,  that,  about  midnight, 
they  reached  the  general's  quarters  undiscovered,  secured  the  sentinel,  surprised 
the  general  in  bed,  and,  without  giving  him  tirie  to  put  on  his  clothes,  hurried 
him  on  board,  with  one  of  his  aides-de-camp,  and  conveyed  him  safely  to  Provi- 
dence. This  event  was  very  mortifying  to  General  Prescott,  and  to  the  royal 
army ;  but  occasioned  much  exultation  among  the  Americans.  Hitherto  Gen- 
era. Howe  had  absolutely  refused  to  release  General  Lee,  but  he  soon  agreed 
to  exchange   him  for  General  Prescott ;  and  General  Lee  again  joined  the 

American  army.  .  ,    ,,  »  ,   ,u„ 

Having  taken  notice  of  these  desultory  enterprises,  we  shall  now  turn  c  the 
two  main  armies,  under  their  respective  commanders-in-chief. 

In  the  beginning  of  June,  Gensral  Sir  William  Howe,  having  r  reived  from 
Ensiland  his  expected  reinforcements  and  camp  equipage,  lell  iNew  York  a.i^i 
passed  into  the  Jerseys,  with  the  intention  of  immediately  opening  the  campai  jn. 
He  had  under  his  command  30,000  men,  well  equipped  and  provided  ;  aiid,  o 
resist  thin  formidable  army,  General  Washington,  on  the  9ih  of  Jui-    co.ild 


___J(i»f'\-i>t£3lIt!<J-'«!==^*=^='-*^'" "• 


i-^a 


TIIK   PICTORIAL  HISTOUY 


iiiMstir  no  more  than  7,'271  men  rit  (or  duly.  During  tlie  win'.cr  his  aiiny  liaJ 
lii'cii  cxtrf  iiii'ly  weak  ;  but,  in  May,  congress  liad  been  al)le  to  send  him  soma 
ricruits.  After  receiving  this  feeble  reinforcement,  toward  the  end  of  the  month 
he  hit  his  strong  camp  at  Morristown,  and,  advancing  toward  \  v  Brunswick, 
took  a  good  position  at  Middlebrook,  on  the  north  side  of  the  lignum,  about  nine 
miles  from  that  place  At  New  Brunswick  General  Howe  assembled  his  army 
im  the  12th  of  June;  but,  judging  it  unadvisable  to  attack  his  adversary  in  the 
post  which  he  had  chosen,  he  employed  every  artifice  to  draw  him  into  less  ad- 
vantageous ground.  For  this  purpose  he  marched  from  New  Brunswick,  in  two 
columns,  to  Middlebush  and  Hillsborough,  on  the  south  of  the  llaritan,  as  if  he 
meant  to  advance  to  the  Delaware.  Not  deceived  by  this  feint.  General  Wash- 
ington remained  in  his  camp,  and  satisfied  himself  with  harassing  the  British 
army  by  skirmishing  parties. 

Perceiving  that  this  movement  did  not  draw  General  Washington  from  his 
camp,  General  Howe  returned  to  New  Brunswick,  committing  terrible  devasta- 
tions in  his  march.  On  the  22d  of  June,  he  retreated  to  Amboy  ;  an  American 
detachment,  under  General  Greene,  hanging  upon  his  rear,  and  frequently  attack- 
ing it.  General  Washington  moved  his  army  to  Quibbletown,  that  he  might 
still  be  near  the  British  army. 

General  Howe  sent  his  heavy  baggage  and  all  the  encumbrances  of  his  army 
from  Amboy  to  Staten  Island,  and  ordered  part  of  the  troops  to  follow  ;  but,  be- 
ing informed  that  General  Washington  had  left  his  strong  ground,  and  was  ad- 
vancing in  pursuit  of  him,  on  the  evening  of  the  25th  he  recalled  his  troops  from 
Staten  Island  ;  and,  on  the  morning  of  the  26th,  suddeidy  and  unexpectedly  ad- 
vanced from  Amboy  with  his  whole  army,  in  two  columns,  against  the  Americans, 
with  the  design  of  cutting  off  their  advanced  detachments,  bringing  General 
Washington  to  an  engagement  on  open  ground,  or  of  gaining  possession  of  the 
passes  in  the  highlands  on  his  left,  and  so  compelling  him  to  abandon  the  ad- 
vantageous position  which  he  had  hitherto  occupied.  For  the  attainment  of  the 
object  last  mentioned,  Earl  Cornwallis,  with  a  strong  detachment,  set  out  early 
on  the  25th  of  June,  and,  about  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  fell  in  with  a  nu- 
merous body  of  the  enemy,  under  Lord  Stirling  and  General  Maxwell.  After  a 
smart  engagement,  the  Americans  retreated  with  some  loss  ;  and  General  Wash- 
ington, apprized  of  the  unexpected  movement  of  the  British  army,  hastily  re 
turned  toward  the  mountains,  and  regained  possession  of  these  passes  which  it 
was  the  intention  of  Earl  Cornwallis  to  seize. 

Finding  all  his  endeavors  to  bring  the  Americano  to  a  general  engagement  in- 
effectual, on  the  30th  of  June  Sir  William  Howe  crossed  to  Staten  Island,  and, 
on  the  5th  of  July,  embarked  his  army,  consisting  of  about  16,000  men,  on  board 
of  transports,  in  order  to  sail  to  the  southward.  To  gain  possession  of  Phila- 
delphia was  his  great  aim  ;  and,  instead  of  attempting  this  by  marching  through 
the  Jerseys  and  passing  the  Delaware,  with  an  unbroken  though  greatly  inferior 
army  in  his  rear,  he  chose  to  carry  his  army  toward  the  place  of  destination  by 
sea,  leaving  General  Sir  Henry  Clinton  with  a  respectable  force  to  defend  New 
York.  But  although  the  army  embarked  on  the  5th  of  July,  it  was  the  23d  of 
the  month  before  the  fleet,  consisting  of  267  sail,  left  Sandy  Hook. 

The  movements  of  General  Howe  greatly  perplexed  the  American  command- 
er-in-chief, who  dreaded  a  junction  of  the  forces  under  Generals  Howe  and 
Burgoyne  ;  and  who  could  scarcely  believe  that  the  former  would  sail  to  the 
southward  and  abandon  the  latter,  who  was  advancing  from  Quebec,  by  way  of 
the  Lakes  Champlain  and  George,  toward  Albany.  He  also  received  contra 
dictory  accounts  of  the  course  which  General  Howe  had  steered  ;  sometimes  it 
was  said  that  he  was  returning  to  the  North  river,  and  sometimes  that  the  Dela- 
ware was  the  place  of  his  destination,  which  last  was  the  true  account.     But  at 


OF  THE  AMKHICAN  REVOLUTION. 


229 


is  aiiny  Ij'iJ 
1(1  hini  soma 
of  the  morith 
V  Brunswick, 
III,  about  uiue 
blud  his  army 
ersary  in  tlie 
1  into  less  aJ- 
iiswick.intwo 
ritan,  as  if  he 
leneral  Wash- 
ig  the   Hriiisli 

gton  from  hia 
rrihle  devasta- 
;  an  American 
queiitly  attack- 
that  he  might 

;es  of  his  army 
bUow ;  but,  be- 
J,  and  was  ad- 

his  troops  from 
nexpectedly  ad- 
,  the  AmericanB, 
inging  General 
jssession  of  the 
ibaudon  the  ad- 
iltainment  of  the 
lit,  set  out  early 
ill  in  with  a  nu- 
axwell.     After  a 
1  General  Wash- 
irmy,  hastily  re 

passes  which  iv 

d  engagement  in- 
taten  Island,  and, 
lOO  men,  on  board 
(session  of  Phila- 
marching  through 
i\i  greatly  inferior 
'of  destination  by 
ce  to  defend  New 
t  was  the  23d  of 
look. 

nerican  commanu- 
nerals  Howe  and 
would  sail  to  the 
iuebec,  by  way  of 
0  received  contra 
ered ;  sometimes  it 
imes  that  the  Dela- 
te account.     But  at 


-j^^f^/sr: 


TT^ 


.  fe'  r.^7M?e,'^/!&*ri'»^ 


,230 


THE  PlCTOKlAl-  lUSTOia 


OF  TlIK  AMKIUCAN  KKVOI.U  TION. 


f4l 


.liHi  HC4S1.H  jf  tlif  Vf'ir  MiiuiliiTly  wiiiils   iin-vjiil   on   the  roiisi .  mikI   it   wan   ilia 
HOtli  ol  July  iH'I'orc  \\<i'  Uriiinli  coimnandrr  rfaclifil  the  cjipes  of  ihc  Di-Iuware. 

Ills  nriu'iii:ii  iiii.iiiioii  w;is  I..  s:iil  up  tin-  riv.T  !<•  IMiil.iilflplii.i  ;  I)UI.  Ik'Iii;;  hi- 
t'ornied  iliat  ilir  AiinTicuiis  liad  nlisiru.iiil  tin'  n:ivi<,'aiiou,  In-  aliiicd  iiw  plan, 
iiiiil.  slill  sU'crini;  snutliward.  ••niiT.d  Clusap.'akr  l)ay.  On  llif  appcaranoe  of 
ilif  Hriiish  armaiiifiil  utl"  tlic  l)«dawarf.  (uMicral  \Vashiii«tiiii  iiuivfd  toward 
I'iiiladilpliia;  l)ut,  lifiiiii  tol.i  that  llit-  (li-et  hud  iufaiii  put  to  sea,  his  perpk'Xity 
r.Mitru.Ml,  and  iit-  htdil  liinisidl' in  r.'aiiiucss  ti.  inar.h  with  tin- the  iitmosl  rapidity 
tinvard  ill.'  Noriii  riv.T,  if  needfu!.  lint,  on  tli.'  tilth  «.f  Aiiuiisl,  he  was  relie\ed 
.f.ni  his  painlui  siisp.ns.'  hy  eertain  inl'.irinatioii  that  the  British  lle.M  had  saih-d 
up  lli»'  Chesap.-ake  hay,  and  that  the  army  wji:-  laiidiii!,'  at  the  heail  (it  the  Klk 
river  , 

At  the  jila.-e  of  d.'harkatioii,  tlie  British  army  was  within  a  few  days  iiiareh 
of  I'hilad.diiiiia;  no  iirv.a  rivers  wen-  in  its  way  ;  and  there  was  no  very  stniiig 
posiiioii  of  whieh  tiie  .'H.-my  eould  tak-  |.oss.'ssioii.  On  landiiiK,  (General  ilowo 
isMi.'d  a  proelamatioii,  |iromisiiij,'  pardon  and  prot.-etion  to  all  who  should  suhinit 
to  him  ;  hut,  as  the  American  army  wms  at  hand,  the  proclamation  produced 
little  eir.'Ct. 

(Jenetal  \Vashin}{ton  distinctly  uiulerstood  the  nature  of  the  contest  in  which 
he  wiis  eiiL'ai,'ed  ;  ami,  seiisihle  of  the  inferiority  of  his  raw  and  disorderly  army 
to  the  veteran  troops  iimhir  Sir  William  Howe,  he  wisiied  to  avoid  a  general  en- 
gagement ;  but,  aware  of  the  ellect  wliich  the  fall  of  Philadelphia  w.mld  produce 
on  the  minds  of  the  multituile,  who  have  no  lixed  principle  or  steady  purpose, 
he  determined  to  make  every  ellort  in  order  to  retard  the  progress  and  defeat  the 
aim  of  the  royal  army.  Accordingly,  he  inarched  to  meet  (ieneral  Howe,  who, 
from  want  of'horses,  manv  of  which  had  perished  in  the  voyage,  and  from  other 
causes,  was  miahle  to  proceed  from  the  head  of  the  Elk  before  the  3d  of  Sep- 
tember. On  the  advance  of  the  royal  army.  General  Washington  retreated 
across  the  Urandywine,  a  creek  wliich  falls  into  the  Delaware  at  Wilmington. 
He  took  post,  with  his  main  body,  opposite  Chad's  lord,  where  it  was  expected 
the  British  would  attempt  the  passage ;  and  ordered  General  Sullivan,  with  a  . 
detachment,  to  watch  the  fords  above.  He  sent  General  Maxwell,  with  about 
1,000  light  troops,  to  occupy  the  high  ground  on  the  other  side  of  the  Brandy- 
wine,  to  skirmish  with  the  British,  and  retard  them  in  their  progress. 

On  the  morning  of  the  1 1th  of  September,  the  British  army  advanced  in  tvvo 
columns;  the  right,  under  General   Knyphausen,  marched   straight  to  Chad's 
Ford  ;  the  left,  under  Lord  Cornwallis,  accompanied  by  the  commander-in-chief 
and  Generals  Grey,  Grant,  and  Agnew,  proceeded,  by  a  circuitous  route,  toward 
a  point  named  the  Forks,  where  the  two  branches  of  the  Brandy  wine  unite,  with 
a  view  to  turn  the  right  of  the  Americans  and  gain  their  rear.     General  Knyp 
hausen's  van  soon  found  itself  opposed  to  the  light  troops  under  General  Mar 
well.     A  smart  conflict  ensued.     General  Knyphausen  reinforced  his  adTance', 
guard,  and  drove  the  Americans  across  the  rivulet,  to  shelter  themselves  unde 
their  batteries  on  the  north  bank.     General  Knyphausen  ordered  some  artillery 
to  be  placed  on  the  most  advantageous  points,  and  a  cannonade  was  carried  on 
with  the  American  batteries  on  the  heights  beyond  the  ford. 

Meanwhile  the  left  wing  of  the  British  crossed  the  fords  above  the  Forks. 
Of  this  movement  General  Washington  had  early  notice ;  but  the  inforniation 
which  he  received  from  diflferf^nt  quarters,  through  his  scouts,  was  confused  and 
contradictory,  and  consequently  his  operations  were  embarrassed.  After  passing 
the  fords,  Lord  Cornwallis  took  the  road  to  Dilworth,  which  led  him  on  the 
American  right.  General  Sullivan,  who  had  been  appointed  to  guard  that  quar- 
ter, occupied  the  heights  above  Birmingham  church,  his  left  extending  to  the 
Brandywine,  his  artillery  judiciously  placed,  and  his  right  flank  covered  by 


'■-.aiEi^T'^Oto^   ■ 


*  » 


22\i 


THK  I'ICTORIAL  HISTORY 


wihmU.  AIidui  fiMir  ill  ilif  .'ifitTiKiiiii,  F.onl  Cornwallis  I'oriiu'il  th»'  linn  of  liatile 
itiiil  ln'i;iiii  ilif  atiiick  ;  lor  soiiii!  lime  the  Americans  siisiaiiicil  it  with  iiitrc|iiiiity, 
liui  at  ii'iii'ili  i;n\f  way-  W  litMi  (ieiit-ral  Washiiimoii  lu-anl  ilic  liriiiif  in  lliai 
liirfction,  lie  ordrrod  (Jent-ral  (irccne  with  ii  brifjailo  to  support  (Jtiicral  Sulli 
van.  Tij-nrral  fircono  marchi'il  lour  miles  in  forty-two  minutes,  l)iit,  on  reaching 
ihi'  scene  of  action,  lie  found  (leiieral  Sullivan's  division  (iefeated  and  tleeint;  in 
roiil'iision.  He  covered  the  retreat;  and,  after  some  time,  rinding  an  advania- 
^eoiis  |)osition,  be  renewed  the  battle,  and  arrested  the  progress  of  the  pursuing 
enemy. 

(ieneral  Knyphaiisen,  as  soon  as  he  heard  the  firing  of  FiOrd  Cornwallis's  d/ 
vision,  forced  the  passages  of  Chad's  Ford,  attacked  tlie  troops  opposed  to  hiii, 
and  comptdled  them  to  make  a  precipitate  anil  disorderly  retreat,  fiener.t 
Wasliimrtoii,  with  the  part  of  his  army  which  he  was  ahle  to  keep  together,  r. 
tired,  with  his  artillery  and  baggage,  to  (Chester,  where  he  halleil,  within  eigh 
miles  of  the  British  army,  till  next  morning,  when  he  retreatiul  to  Philadelphia 
.Night,  and  the  exhaustion  of  the  liritish  troops,  saved  the  Americans  from  pur- 
suit. 

In  Philadelphia  the  American  commander-in-chief  remained  two  days,  collect- 
ing his  scattered  troops,  replacing  the  stores  lost  in  the  battle,  and  making  ar- 
rangements for  his  future  movements.  On  the  third  day  after  the  engagement 
he  marched  up  the  north  side  of  the  Schuylkill,  crosseil  it  at  Sweet's  Ford,  and 
proceeded  toward  Lancaster. 

In  the  battle  at  the  Hrandywine  the  Americans  suflered  considerable  los» 
having  about  300  men  killed,  HOG  wounded,  and  400  taken  prisoners.  They 
also  lost  ten  small  field-pieces  and  a  howitzer.  The  loss  of  the  Hritish  was 
much  less,  not  exceeding  five  or  six  hundred  killed  and  wounded.  In  the  battle 
several  foreign  officers  of  distinction  served  in  the  American  army  :  among 
these  was  the  celebrated  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  ;  he  was  only  aboi  twenty 
years  of  age,  and,  animated  by  a  youthful  and  enthusiastic  love  of  liberty,  had 
ipiitted  his  country,  a  plentiful  fortune,  and  all  the  endearments  of  polished  so- 
ciety,  to  fight  under  the  banners  of  the  infant  republic  at  the  most  gloomy  period 
of  the  contest.  At  his  own  expense  he  purchased  and  fitted  out  a  vessel  to  con- 
vey him  to  the  American  continent,  and  sailed,  notwithstanding  a  prohibition  of 
the  French  government,  which  did  not  then  deeny  i  txp*dienl  to  throw  off  the 
mask.  This  battle  was  his  first  military  servvct'  in  the  American  cause,  and  in 
It  he  received  a  wnmid  in  the  leg,  but  did  ImH  l«*ve  the  field.  Some  other  French 
otlicers  were  in  the  battle  on  the  same  Mi^  wi.I  also  Count  Pulaski,  a  Polish 
nobleman. 

On  the  16th  of  the  month  Monsi««r  du  Ooudray,  with  some  other  French 
gentlemen,  set  out  to  join  the  army.  Monsieur  du  Coudray  was  mounted  on  a 
^)irited  young  mare,  on  which  he  ^.xle  into  the  fiat-boat  used  for  ferrying  across 
he  Schuylkill,  and  being  unable  »o  stop  her,  she  went  over  the  boat  into  the 
iver  with  her  rider  on  her  back.  Vlonsieur  du  Coudray  disengaged  himself 
rom  the  saddle,  but  was  drownod,  notwithstanding  every  effort  being  made  t« 
save  him. 

On  the  evening  after  the  battle  General  Howe  sent  a  party  to  Wilmington, 
who  seized  in  bed  Mr.  McKinlay,  governor  of  the  state  of  Delaware,  and  took  a 
shallop  lying  in  the  rivulet  loaded  with  the  rich  cfTects  of  some  of  the  inhabitants, 
logetiier  with  the  public  recordi*  ot  the  county,  and  other  valuable  and  important 
property. 

(ieneral  Wayne,  with  a  detachment  of  1 ,500  men,  had  taken  post  in  the  woods 
on  the  left  of  the  British  army,  wit  h  the  intention  of  harassing  it  on  its  march 
On  the  evening  of  the  20th  of  September,  General  Grey  was  despatched  to  sur- 
i>rise  him,  and  successfully  executed  the  enterprise  ;  killing  or  w»»unding,  chiefiv 


TT 


.  liiu!  of  hattia 
\i\\\  iiitri'piiliiy, 
!  tiriiiK  in  il':i« 
(J.iit'ral  Sulli 
)Ut,  on  rrachins; 
il  and  flf'-iiiu  in 
iiH  iiii  advaiilu- 
of  the  pursuing 

Cornwallis's  iV 
apposed  to  liiii, 
•treat.  Ocntr.* 
u»'p  to^other,  r. 
I'd,  within  eigh 
to  Philadelphia 
■ricans  from  pur- 

two  days,  collect- 

,  and  inakin),'  ar- 

the  engagement 

Iweet's  Ford,  and 

jonsiderable  lo9- 
prisoners.     They 

the  Hrilish  was 
led.  In  the  battle 
;an  army  :  among 
,nly  aboi  twenty 
)ve  of  liberty,  had 
Its  of  polished  so- 
tost  gloomy  period 
otit  a  vessel  to  con- 
it  g  a  prohibition  of 
It"  to  throw  off  the 
rican  cause,  and  in 
Some  other  French 

Pulaski,  a  Polish 

;ome  other  French 
was  mounted  on  a 
1  for  ferrying  across 
•  the  boat  into  the 
lisengaged  himself 
(Tort  being  made  t» 

irty  to  Wilmington, 
)elaware,  and  took  a 
,ne  of  the  inhabitants, 
duable  and  important 

ken  post  in  the  woods 
jing  it  on  its  march 
as  despatched  to  sur- 
,  or  w»unding,  chien> 


OF   THK  A.MEKICAN   liKVOLUTlO.N. 


339 


f*^ 


iM 


THE  PICTOHIAI.  IIISTOKY 


F,o  lOe.-Portmit  of  r.enerul  Wayne.  ,  •    „  u.^ 

1     1  nn  nrUnners   and  making  mm 

..olf  master  of  all  their  baggage. 
Fla.l.;„l  and  G»"'<;^J°;tn  X  from  PhiUJelph  a ;  aad.  on  .he  i6*  w,m 

Mid  1  000  Virginian  militia,  marcneu 


W*' 


and  making  him 
captain  and  three 

the  second  lime 

On  the  afternoor 
Howe,  contrary  to 
the  Schuylkill  at 
sncamped  at  Ger- 
,  on  the  26th,  with 
he  city,  where  he 
)uring  these  move- 
ry  rains. 

undei  his  brother 
lid  steered  for  the 
1  as  General  Howe 

the  course  of  tho 

^ -nation  of  the  Del- 
aux-de-frise,  formed 
ng  iron  pikes,  across 
[8  into  the  Delaware. 
«  on  the  banks  and 

course  of  the  river 
.ington,  who  lay  en 
[kill,  about  seventeeri 
ermanlown  consisted 
encampment  bisected 
1  by  the  Schuylkill, 
oops  from  PeekskilU 
k  on  the  evening  of 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  R EVOLUTION. 


23.°i 


he  X\  (if  Octohrr,  ;iil.l  ;i!  iliiwi 

VtTcr  ;i  smart  Cduliu-t  \h:  drmt- 

llic  Iic.i'l  (iftlic  \ill,i<r{',  and,  willi  his 

tlio  atiaik  ;  liiit  riifiiitiiiaiii-Coloiifl  .Musirrin'ii  of  the 


(il   ilay  rii'xt  moniinif    .'inackc-,!    ihc   roval    ririiiy 

ill  i'li-  ailvaiii'tvl   ^u.ir.!,  wliiili    uas    slaliumul   al 

irinv  ili\'iili',l  into  live  colLiiniis,  |)ri)sr(  iiicd 

lOili  rc'riiMfiit,  which   hail 


hceii  driven  in,  and  a  ho  had  been  able  U>  kei-p  five  coiiipanit's  of  the  rrunnu'iii 
to>rether.  threw  himself  into  a  hirgo  stone  house  ill  the  vilhiire,  u  hicli  stood  in 
front  of  the  main  column  of  the  Americans,  and  there  almost  a  half  of  (Jeiieral 
Washimrton's  army  was  detained  for  a  considerable  time.  Instead  of  maskin<> 
tlij  house  with  a  sufliciont  force,  and  advancin;^  rapidly  with  their  main  hofU" 
the  Americans  attacked  the  house,  which  was  ohstinately  defended.  This  saved 
the  British  rrniy  ;  for  the  critical  moment 'was  lost  in  fruitless  attempts  on  the 
house  ;  the  royal  troops  had  time  to  get  under  arms,  and  be  in  readiness  to  resist 
or  attack  as  circumstances  required.  General  Grey  came  to  the  assistance  of 
Colonel  Musgrave ;  the  engagement  for  some  time  was  general  and  warm ;  at 
length  the  Americans  began  to  give  way,  and  effected  a  retreat  with  all  their 
artillery.  The  morning  was  very  foggy,  a  circumstance  which  had  prevented 
the  Americans  from  combining  and  conducting  their  operations  as  they  other- 
wise might  have  done,  but  which  now  favored  their  retreat  by  concealing  their 
movements. 

In  this  engagement  the  British  had  600  men  killed  or  wounded ;  among  the 
slain  were  Brigadier-General  Agnew  and  Colonel  Bird,  officers  of  distinguished 
reputation.  The  Americans  lost  an  equal  number  in  killed  and  woujided,  be- 
sides 400  who  were  taken  prisoners.  General  Nash,  of  North  Carolina,  was 
among  those  who  were  killed.  After  the  battle  General  Washington  returned 
to  his  encampment  at  Skippach  Creek. 

But  although  the  British  army  had  been  successful  in  repulsing  the  ArnericaH>s, 
yet  taeir  situation  was  not  comfortable  ;  nor  could  they  easily  maintain  them- 
selves in  Pennsylvania  unless  the  navigation  of  the  Delaware  were  openeil,  and 
a  free  communication  established  between  the  fleet  and  armv.  The  upper  line 
of  chevaux-de-frise  was  protected  by  a  work  named  Fort  Mifllin,  erected  on  a 
marshy  island  in  the  Delaware  called  Mud  Island,  formed  by  an  accumulation 
of  sand  and  vegetable  mould  near  the  Pennsylvania  bank  of  the  river,  and  by  a 
redoubt,  called  Redbank,  on  the  Jersey  side.  At  a  small  distance  below  .Vlud 
island,  and  nearly  in  a  line  with  it,  are  two  others,  named  Province  rnd  Hog's 
ishuids  ;  between  these  and  the  Pennsylvanian  bank  of  the  river  was  a  narrow 
channel,  of  sufficient  depth  to  admit  ships  of  moderate  draught  of  water.  The 
reduction  of  Forts  MitHin  and  Redbank.  and  the  opening  of  the  Delaware,  were 
of  essential  importance  to  the  British  army  in  the  occupation  of  Philadelphia. 
In  order,  therefore,  that  he  might  be  able  more  conveniently  to  assist  in  those 
operations.  General  Howe,  on  the  1 9th  of  October,  withdrew  his  army  from 
tiermantown,  and  encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia. 

lie  despatched  Colonel  Count  Donop,  a  German  officer,  with  three  battalions 
5f  Hessian  grenadiers,  the  regiment  of  Mirbach,  and  some  light  infantry,  to  re- 
duce Redbank.  This  detachment  crossed  the  Delaware  at  Philadelphia  on  the 
evening  ^f  the  21st  of  October,  and  next  afternoon  reached  the  place  of  its  des- 
tination. Count  Donop  summoned  the  fort  to  surrender ;  but  Colonel  Christo- 
pher Greene,  of  Rhode  Island,  who  commanded  in  the  redoubt,  answered  that 
he  would  defend  kis  post  to  the  last  extremity.  Count  Donop  immediately  led 
his  troops  to  the  assault,  advancing  under  a  close  fire  from  the  fort,  and  from  the 
\merican  vessels-of-war  and  floating-batteries  on  the  river;  he  forced  an  exten- 
^ive  and  unfinished  outwork,  but  could  make  no  impression  on  the  redoubt.  The 
count  was  mortally  wounded ;  the  second  in  command  also  was  disabled ;  and, 
alter  a  desperate  CO  rflict  and  severe  loss,  the  assailants  were  compelled  to  re- 


^.lypiiv-- ,-:({■»  h*,?««.'t»kr.-r*r.^-  ■ 


T> 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTOKY. 


Colonel 


treat  un.ler  a  fire  si.nilar  to  that  -^ifj^ll'^^'laV^r  'J  \ 

;„d  Merl.n,  v-sels-o  -^^•=|  ,  -^  P  ; -  ,,^^,„^,,,  „f  Cotj.a  I)o..-P  ^"J^^' ^j,^.^,.^, 
ehevaux-de-tr.so  anJ  o  ;  ^  ^^^^^  ^,^^  "'i'^'^'^)  °^'  "  ,e  Sis  ed  before 
up  the  river  with  the  rtowinti  ^^^.^.^.^nks  «;here  "«" «  ^^J^^j   ,,^   of 

ale  course  ot   '^"^  ,«=^'=     f  \j;;t  „   groundea   a  little  '-'"^^^^^^^..^^u  acle   to   Re, 
Hencethe  Au^n.sta    and    MeTU    b  ^.^^^  ^^,^^y  "''*'''''^  vi^.^their  conditu.n. 

chevaux-de-fnse.     M  the  n  turn^^^  _^^^  ^^^^  Americans,  perceiving  tl.ur^^^  ^^^^^^^ 


=„.. :^'^nr:::^'^^'^^--^t^ 


crew  were  go  '>'\"'  J"  ,,,„,,  .  ,.ut  the   greater  part  of  the 

seamen,  perished  in  "'  ,  destroyed.  .      r      reducing'  the 

The  >^\^\'" --,:.   th  -"'^--'  ^'^^  "l^^^r^iw^'Sat  eri^s  vv^ve  erected 

Noiwithstandmu  '»'"*"".,        ^.ja,  great  activity.     '**"{^",,-fl-  .,uv  of  con- 

as  the  seoon.l  line  of  chev a«X  ae  ui  ^^^^^ 

,,  front  of  the  work  ,,     ,,„,  ,,,,eding  ^^^ --£Kt  and  army 

The  little  garrison  o   r   r  ^^^  operations  ot  ^^e  t  rm  ^^^^^^ 

theniselvesinopposingja-lar^^fe^^,^     ^^^^.^  ^"^'^^Inf  car  ied  on  by  the 
against  them;  =""^  /  '   "",'^,^1 'port   Mifflin  was  b«f "  "^"J  ^^^^^^^^^^^ 
A  terrible  cannonade  ■  g'^"^;/°„j  ^as  answered  by  the  [«"' ^'.U V„ey  bank. 
^^""^  "'Tfl  "tm^  iS  -c^oni  river,  and  by  ^h- J-r^O.  J^^^J  ^^^^ 
galleys  and  fl'>^  .'f '' '""lu„  for,  was  in  a  great  measure  (lemoi  ^^^ 

The  America    «h.P'n^^  ^^^,  ^T5re  t  ^  set  on  fire  and 

the  stream:  pa'^\°V  "'  ,?     ni  rht  and  escaped;  the  rest  ^*,       .        ^vas  after- 

river  was  so  obstinate,  ^^^^^ 

clearing  vt.  .  ^^^^i^ed  a  r«^"»f«'^^^'"^"  fnirstrong  camp  at 

(leneral  Washington  haungr  ^^^  ^^^^  ^"T^'nied  at    advantageous 

position  at  Nv  nue  ."<» 


e.     Colonel 

I  CO  >perateil 
•rpool,  Peiirl, 
owiT  line  of 
ttack,  ino»eil 
i  bail  altert'il 
;isteil  before 
;ond  row  of 
made   to   get 
lieir  conJitlon. 
Uffusla  cai'gbi 
ficuby  tbat  tbe 
uer,  at.il  some 
w   was   saved 

r  reducin;^  tbe 
I  were  erected 
ifficidiv  of  eoi>- 
:liUery'  tbrough 
ly  to  act  witb 
md,  aliboiigh  it 

attack  on  Fort 
b  bcavy  cannon, 
.  Pennsylvanian 
•  tbe  fort.  The 
n  cbannel,  as  far 
ilaced  themselves 

id  greatly  exerted 
isb  fleet  and  army 
lot  forsake  them, 
irried  on  by  the 
by  the  American 
n  the  Jersey  bank, 
olisbed,  and  many 
loTiger  tenable,  re- 
ays  afterward,  tb« 
iied  against  it ;  but 

otected.  retired  up 
lassed  the  batteries 
18  set  on  fire,  and 
this  time,  was  after- 
opened,  and  a  free 
the  defence  of  the 
aign  was  wasted  in 

m  the  northern  army, 

bis  strong  camp  at 

ied  an  advantageous 

He  had  a  valley 


OF  TllK   AMKKICAN   UKVOLU  IION. 


237 


Aii.i  rivulet  in  f.onl,  and  his  niiht  wiis  pn.t.-ef.l  l.y  an  abattis,  or  fence  of  tree» 
cut  down,  with  their  top  brandies  jjoiiited  ami  turned  outward. 

Sir  William  Howe  ihinkinir  tlial  Gen.Tiil  WMshmnton,  encourajjed  by  his  r<MU 
.ore«nients,  would  hazard  a  hattle  /or  the  recovery  of  the  capital  ot  Pennsylvama, 
or  that  a  successful  attack  might  be  made  on  his  position,  marriieii  Iruni  t^iula 
delphia  on  the  evening  of  the  4lh  of  Deceml)er,  and  ne.vt  morning  took  pest  on 
Chesiimt  Hill,  in  front  of  the  right  wing  of  the  .\mericati  army.  Uuring  the.  two 
iucceeding  days.  General  Howe  made  several  movements  in  front  of  the  hostile 
,  ucamp.ntfnt,  and  some  skirmishing  ensued.  Hut  General  Washington  remained 
w  iihin  his  lines  ;  and  Sir  William  Howe,  deeming  it  una.lvisable  to  attack  him 
.here,  and  seeing  no  probability  of  being  able  to  provoke  him  to  engage  on  more 
eiinul  terms,  returned  with  his  army,  on  tlie  8th  of  December,  to  1  hiladelpliia 
.\i  that  time  the  two  armies  were  nearly  etpial  in  point  of  numerical  force,  each 
consisting  of  upward  of  14,000  men.  Soon  afterward  General  Washington 
(|uitted  White  Marsh,  crossed  the  Schuylkill,  and  took  post  at  Valley  I'orge, 
where  he  spent  the  winter,  about  twenty-six  miles  from  Philadelplua. 

Uuring  the  active  part  of  the  campaign  the  British  army  was  most  luimerous  , 
and  although,  in  the  beginning  of  December,  the  numerical  force  of  the  two 
armies  was  nearly  equal,  yet  there  was  a  great  difTerence  in  the  quality  and 
equipment  of  the  troops.  Those  under  Sir  William  Howe  were  veterans  ac- 
customed to  the  most  exact  discipline  and  subordination,  well  armed,  and  abun- 
dantly supplied  with  military  stores  and  other  necessaries;  but  those  under 
General  Washington  were  for  tbe  most  part  raw  levies,  ill-disc^- lined,  imper- 
fectly armed,  and  strangers  to  military  subordination  ;  hence  liie  Americans 
were  unable  to  meet  the  royal  troops  on  equal  terms.  General  Washington  was 
obliged  to  occupy  strong  positions,  and  to  be  wary  in  all  his  movements  ;  and 
although  Stir  William  Howe  was  successful  in  all  his  operations,  yet  he  gained 
nothing  by  the  campaign  but  good  winter  quarters  in  Philadelphia. 

While  the  events  now  related  were  happening  in  the  middle  states,  most  im- 
portant transactions  were  going  on  in  the  north,  to  which  we  shall  now  turn  our 

attention. 

We  left  the  retreating  American  army,  after  its  unsuccesslul  irruption  into 
Canada,  at  Ticonderoga,  in  the  month  of  November,  1776.  That  army  was 
composed  chiefly  of  soldiers  enlisted  for  a  short  period  only,  and  consequently 
•t  melted  away  during  the  winter,  as  the  term  of  service  for  which  the  men  were 

engaged  expired.  ,.      r        i  i  m 

The  cantonments  of  the  British  northern  army,  extending  from  Isle  aux  Noix 
and  Montreal  to  Quebec,  were  so  distant  from  each  other  that  they  could  not 
readily  have  aflbrded  mutual  support  in  case  of  an  attack  ;  but  the  Americans 
were  in  no  condition  to  avail  themselves  of  this  circumstance.  They  could 
scarcely  keep  up  even  the  appearance  of  garrisons  in  their  forts,  and  were  ap- 
prehensive of  an  attack  on  Ticonderoga,  as  soon  as  the  ice  was  strong  enough 
to  afford  an  easy  passage  to  troops  over  the  lakes. 

At  the  close  of  the  preceding  campaign  General  Gates  had  joined  the  army 
under  General  Washington  ;  and  the  command  of  the  army  in  the  northern  de- 
partment, comprehending  Albany,  Ticonderoga,  Fort  Stanwix,  and  their  depen- 
dencies, remained  in  the  hands  of  General  Schuyler.  The  services  of  that 
mmtoriousoflicer  had  not  been  duly  valued  by  congr  s,  which  was  slow  in 
decerning  real  and  unostentatious  merit.  Disgusted  f  .le  injustice  which  he 
had  experienced,  he  was  restrained  from  leaving  the  army  merely  by  the  deep 
interest  which  he  took  in  the  arduous  struggle  in  which  his  comitry  was  en- 
gag.'d  ;  but  aftei  a  full  iu'estigation  of  his  conduct  during  the  whole  of  his  com- 
mand congress  was  at  length  convinced  of  the  value  of  his  services,  and  request- 
ed him  to  continue  at  the  head  of  the  army  of  the  northern  department       1  haJ 


THE  PICTORl.Vl-  IIISTOKY 


"^  ""  ,  •      .  vvhirh  ii  vv.s  expected  to  perfoim.  :in.1 

":;; t;  '  lS)00  .,.-..  ..,  ma,.  ,1..-,,  lu  ly^  ^^^  ,ig„,ously  on  the 

'"fp^  Ur,nsh  .ninistry  l-V;'?'^;;:^,.  \  a  "^  ointe.l  General   »"-■«">•;:;;;;;; 

,oyalarnw.nthat,uun.r  ^^    ^,,,   ,^,^i,,  ,,e   f^'^'u:'.:^ 

(Jeneral  Hnri^ovne  was  a>,>isU'i  .)>  il;,mllton,  lU-ulesel,  ami  ^^i  n 

^-"E^s^st.::!:;?-' -■»'-"' '^ ,a„.u»v.,  «...,„ 

il>«  -xp-l"i""-        ,.  ,       ,  s,    1  e«cr  with  a  ho.ly  of  liglu   troops  and  Im  .a.^ 

wir-feasi.  at  whu-h.  with  well  mean   out  u  h^^barous  craeliy.    .  "«  "Vu 

TonW  ;o  inflanu.  'i-'----5^,^;i;^ri.tlntan.sof  the  -untry,  tn  w   -  , 

^-t:.:^j:^:^'^^^^r  '"^u-^i!^  'SeXi  :m;-y 

':^l  :    ;;'d  u.  at,ach  •^-'-^'-^^,;";,S       r  iV.enas  of  ."•lepende..ce   ajul 
...MihwatJ,  .mil  I"""  .,„  ,„„,b 


T  r 


rfoitn,  nn') 
rtio.i  to  <>r- 
n  ;  hut  lii-^ 
Clair,  who 
militia.  Iiiul 
koii'il    liaM' 

islv   oi>  the 

jmniaml  tlif 

certed    with 
?  uecossary 
uitable  hinly 
•oops,  «'xccl 
s  coininaml 
savages, 
icers,  among 
ami  Spcciit. 
,-ch,  atteuJtHl 

and  Indians, 
the  Mohawk 
)  advauL't'd  to 
e,  and,  ywe- 
w  days  landed 
mericans   had 

,  gave  tluMii  a 
hem  a  speci-h. 
•liy.      He  uex 
iitrv,in  wliich, 
severity  those 
of  the  ferocity 
ependence.  and 
to  their  dniy. 
lion  that  it  was 

e  General  Bnr- 

which  connects 

German  anxil- 

commun...^<tiion 

lis  vai»  appeared 

n,  and  throws  its 
is  about  eighty 
rhcre  it  i«  widest, 
south  end  of  the 
le  take,  proceeds 
e  waters  of  l>ake 

elve  miles  soijlb 
ree  sides  by  -he 
,.     On  the  bi<&ce 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


U3^ 


'  ill;';  ,    i;  !:     I'i    H''i'll' 


''li|lif!ii!ii|l'!j!l 

ill!ll!!lili||li!il||f:  !ir'"i"' 


T» 


THE  PICTOKUI.  HISTORY 

which  ha.l  been  "^'^^P^^'^'^y '';^,„„  „7  U  which  is  flat,  they  had  erected  a  fort 
and  carefully  fortified.  On  t^«  »"P  "■  ;''  ^'^ear  the  foot  of  the  mountain  which 
and  provided  it  sufliciently  -'^'^^^''S.ed  entrenchment.,  and  mounted  them 

-%X^^ '-  "^'X.  s^^ch  :rz^  j;p^: 

,„0  post.,  by  mean,  ot  a  "?»'  •";;"'?' "iJislance,  tron,  each  other.      The 
strong  wooden  pillar,  plawl  at "««'f  •1'»'  "        „  fl„.„,  ,tr„..sly  f"Y"l '» 
waeea  between  the  pillar,  were  ™s>l  "P  °[  ^«P  ,      The  bridge  was  twelve  fee 
"Sch  other  and  to  the  p.llar.,  ^^  *XAph.  n  wa.  defended  by  a  boom  formed 

stgrji^ct'ii^tiirb^i.e^a'^Ss^^^^ 

nrLely  after  pa..n.,T.»^j;>:-r,S^ 

come  the  waters  flowing  from  l^^^!^®  ^;':|    '  ^^^  rugged  eminence  called  Sugai 
confluence  of  those  two  streams  rises  a  s^teep  ana     gg     ^  ^^^^_^  ^^^^p^^ 
HUl.  which  overlooks  and  coramandsbot^^  ^^^^^^^^  g^  ciair  consid- 

Tha  hill  had  been  examined  by  the  Americans  ^^^  extensive  works 

Trine  the  force  under  his  command  ">««ffi"2  Lterhi-  himself  that  the  extreme 
rrionVeroga  and  Mount  Independence,  and  A^^^^^^^^^  ,  u 

difficulty  of  the  ascent  would  P/^^^^Vviill      It  may  be  remarked  that  the  north 
neglected  to  take  possession  of  S"gar  H  ».     U  may  Ticonderoga  ;  bu. 

S  of  Lake  George  is  between  tw«  J^^Ss  and  shallows,  and  is  unfit  for 
the  channel  leading  to  it  is  interrupted  ^Y ^^P'^^       fi,,  ^jies  long,  extending 

*^0n  tTppearance  of  General  ^^j;::^^.^^^^^^^ 
nnrate  knowledge  of  the  strength  of  the  P"f  f  ""^J'  ^  Jy  attempt  to  take  the 
Srcemint  from  Europe.  He  ^^f^^^^XUw'^ersily  be  abl'e  to  repulse 
fort  by  assault,  and  fl^"er«d  himsel    tha^  he^^^^^^^  f  both 

them      But,  on  the  second  of  J^^y'/^.^^f '"'"s  f  om  the  forts  ;  while  the  flee 
E  of  the' channel  and  --^/"Pfth""^    After  a  slight  resistance.  General 
anchored  just  beyond  the  reach  of  J*^^  g""\    important  post  on  the  south  of  Fi- 
Rurgovne  took  possession  of  Mount  Hope,  an  rnnp  i     ^^  ^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^an- 

the  fort  on  the  west  side.     The  merman  ^  detachment  to  the  m 

%:frro!:-^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

rrXedLidu-^m  bnngjn,   «rw„^^        ^S.^  HtU  u.  be  «• 
communications.     On  ttie  om 


tF 


J 


French  had 
1  those  lines 

hiTe  between 
niiependence, 
Crown  Point, 
trected  a  fort, 
juntain,  which 
moiinied  them 
about  half 

between  those 
by  twenty-two 
other.  The 
gly  fastened  to 
/vas  twelve  feet 
a  boom  formed 
iron  chains  an 
lished  between 
els  up  the  strait 

1  wider,  and,  on 

m,  at  that  point 

1  the  south    isi 

formed  by       ? 

nee  called  Sugai 

nt  Independence. 

St.  Clair  consid- 

extensive  works 

f  that  the  extreme 

themselves  of  it, 

ted  that  the  north 

riconderoga ;  bu» 

I,  and  is  unfit  for 

5  long,  extending 

the  same  name, 

making  any  effec- 

Fort  Edward,  on 

,  Clair  had  no  ac- 
Bard  nothing  of  the 
Utempt  to  take  tho 
e  able  to  repulse 
reat  force  on  both 
ts  ;  while  the  fleet 
•esistance,  General 
on  the  south  of  Ti- 
3  well  as  the  chan- 
ompletely  to  invest 
!ral  Reidesel  occu- 
achinent  to  the  vi- 
General  Burgoynr 
ind  completing  his 
ugar  Hill  to  be  ex- 


OF  THE  A.MEKICAN   REVOLUTION. 


24] 


ir 


amined  ;  and,  being  informed  that  the  ascent,  though  difhiult,  w<is  not  impracti 
ralile,  he  immediately  resolved  to  take  possession  of  it,  and  proceeded  with  such 
activity  in  raising  works  and  inoiinting  ^uiis  upon  it,  that  his  buttery  might  have 
been  opened  on  the  garrisoTi  next  day. 

These  operations  received  no  check  from  the  besieged  ;  because,  as  it  haa 
been  alleged,  they  were  not  in  a  condition  to  give  way.  Cieneral  St.  Claii 
wau  now  nearly  surrounded.  Only  the  space  between  the  stream  which  flows 
from  Mount  Independence  and  South  river  remained  open  ;  and  that  was  to  be 
occupied  next  day. 

In  these  circumstances  it  was  requisite  for  the  garrison  to  come  to  a  prompt 
and  decisive  resoluticm  ;  either,  at  every  hazard,  lo  defend  the  place  to  the  last 
extremity,  or  immediately  to  abandon  it.  St.  Cmr  called  a  council  of  war,  tho 
meml)ers  of  which  unanimously  advised  the  immediate  evacuation  of  the  forts  : 
and  preparations  were  instantly  made  for  carrying  this  resolution  into  execution 
The  British  had  the  command  of  the  communication  with  Lake  George ;  and 
consequently  the  garrison  could  not  escape  in  that  direction.  The  retreat  could 
be  effected  by  the  South  river  only.  Accordingly  the  invalids,  the  hospital,  and 
such  stores  as  could  be  most  easily  removed,  were  put  on  board  200  boats,  and, 
escorted  by  Colonel  [..ong's  regiment,  proceeded,  on  the  night  between  the  5th 
and  6th  of  July,  up  the  South  river  toward  Skenesborough.  The  garrisons  of 
Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Independence  marched  by  laid  through  Castletown, 
toward  the  same  place.  The  troops  were  ordered  to  march  out  in  profound 
silence,  end  particularly  to  set  nothing  on  fire.  But  these  prudent  orders  were 
disobeyed  ;  and,  before  the  rear-guard  was  in  motion,  the  house  on  Mount  Inde- 
pendence, which  General  Fermoy  had  occupied,  was  seen  in  flames.  That 
served  as  a  signal  to  the  enemy,  who  immediately  entered  the  works,  and  fired, 
but  without  effect,  on  the  rear  of  the  retreating  army. 

General  Burgoyne  instantly  resolved  on  a  rapid  pursuit.  Commodore  Lut* 
wych  began  to  cut  the  boom,  and  break  down  the  bridge  between  Ticonderoga 
and  Mount  Independence  ;  and  so  great  was  his  activity  that,  although  the 
.\merican8  had  labored  ten  months  on  the  work,  he  opened  a  passage  for  his 
fleet  by  nine  in  the  morning. 

A  number  of  gun-boats,  under  Captain  Carter,  were  detached  in  pursuit  of  that 
part  of  the  A  merican  force  which  had  retreated  up  South  river  ;  and  they  pro- 
ceeded with  such  rapidity,  that  at  three  in  the  afternoon  they  overtook  the  re- 
treating enemy,  brought  them  to  action  near  the  falls  of  Skenesborough,  took 
two  of  their  five  galleys,  and  cc  .pelled  them  to  burn  the  other  three  and  theii 
boats.  At  Skenesborough  the  Americans  did  not  long  remain  ,•  for  understand- 
ing that  General  Burgoyne.  who  with  part  of  his  army  had  sailed  up  the  South 
river  in  boats,  had  landed  at  South  bay,  below  Skenesborough,  they  set  fire  to  the 
works,  and,  without  any  consideraoie  loss  of  men,  retreated  to  Fort  Ann,  higher 
up  Wood  creek.  But  they  lost  all  their  baggage,  and  a  great  quantity  of  pro- 
visions and  military  stores,  which  were  either  destroyed  by  themselves  or  taken 
by  the  British. 

The  operations  aqainst  the  main  body  of  the  garrison,  which  retreated  by 
land,  were  not  less  acu  e.  General  Frazer,  at  the  head  of  a  body  of  grenadiers 
and  light  infantry,  pursued  them ;  and  was  supported  by  General  Reidesel.  Gen- 
eral St.  Clair,  convinced  that  his  safety  lay  in  the  rapidity  of  his  movements, 
inarched  with  great  diligence,  and  in  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which  he  aban- 
Joned  the  forts  reached  Castletown,  thirty  miles  from  Ticonderoga ;  but  hit 
tear-guard,  consisting  of  1,200  men,  under  Colonel  Warner,  on  account  of  fa- 
tigue, halted  at  Hubbardtown,  six  miles  behind  tho  rest  of  the  army. 

On  the  evening  of  the  6th  of  July,  General  Frazer  arrived  near  Hubbardlo*  ii 
luid  being  informed  thai  the  rear  of  the  enemy  was  at  no  ereat  dista."  ;8  hr  '• 

1« 


24a 


THE  PlCTnUlAL  UlsloRY 


2 


e 

< 

•5 

a 


c 
to 


I 


.^^  .  v^S«„'«fcf  ,^^ 


OF  THE  AMKHICAN  REVOl.irriON. 


2  J.I 


i^\\' 


1\, 


^•f.i 


doreil  his  men  to  lie  on  their  arms  (hiring  the  nii,'ht.  On  the  monung  of  thfl 
7th  he  renewe.l  the  pursui'.  an.l  soon  overtook  the  American  rear-guard,  under 
Colonel  Warner,  who,  l.esiiles  his  own  rei;imenl.  liad  with  him  those  of  ColoneU 
l-raneis  and  Male.  Hut  Hale  (led  without  fiuhtiui;;  and  atterward  fallinf;  in 
with  a  small  party  of  Hritish  troops,  he  surren.lered  himself  and  such  of  his  men 
as  adhered  to  hini  prisoners.  Hy  this  .lefeetion  Warner  c.mid  bring  only  about 
700  men  ...to  aetiou.  I'razer  began  the  atlark  about  -even  in  the  .norning,  and 
l.e  conflict  was  severe  an.l  sanguinary.  Colonel  Francis  fell.  h;;htmg  brav.dy 
at  the  head  of  his  regiment ;  but  the  battle  was  obstinately  maintained  till  the 
arrival  of  Ceneral  Keidesel  with  a  reinforcement,  when  the  Americans  fled  with 

'"  St'' Chi""  who  was  at  Castletown,  six  miles  distant,  heard  the  firing  when  it 
beiran  an.l'ordered  two  regiments  of  militia,  which  were  nearest  the  scene  of 
H.-tlon'  to  support  Cdon.d  Warner  ;  but,  instea.l  of  obeying  the  order,  those  regi- 
„H.nts's..ught  safety  in  flight,  and  left  Warner  to  his  fate.  In  this  encounter  the 
Am.ricans^i..st  \V2'\  m.s.  in  killed,  w.mnded.  and  prisoners  ;  the  royal  troops  had 
18.)  men  killed  or  wounded.  ,    ,        ,         •  i 

While  St   C'.iir  lav  at  Castletown,  an  officer  from  one  of  the   American  gal 
l,.vs   informed    him   that  the   British  were  hastening  forward  to  Skenesborough, 
and  woul.l  reach  that  place  before  him.     lie  therefore  entered  the  woods  on  his 
l,.ft   and   pursued   his  wav  to  Fort    Edward,  where,  after  a  laligu.ng  .uar.h.  in 
which   his   troops   sufl-ered   much  from  bad  weather  and  want  ..I   provisions,  he 
joined  General  Schuyler  on  the  12th  of  July.     Two  days  alter  leavmg  (  astle- 
Colonel  Hill,  with  the  9th  regiment,  was  ordered  to  pursue  the  American  de- 
t,.ch,n         tindr  Colonel    Long:  which  had    retreated    up   Wood    Creek   from 
SnesK.rouahtoFort  Ann:  two  other  regimtmts  were  alterward  directed  to 
s.™   hin.^  Colonel  Long  attacked  Colonel   Hiil,  and  a  severe  skirmish  e.- 
el     b    .  being  informed  of  the  approach  of  the  reinlorcctnent  to  Colonel  HI  . 
^ le  \mericHus  set  fire  to  the  works  at  Fort  Ann,  and  retreated  to  Port  Edward. 
Th       in  the  course  of  a  few  days  after  the  com.nencetnent  ol    active  opera- 
tions   Ge  era   Burgoyne  tnade  himself  master  of  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Inde- 
peti.h-nre,  drove  the  Republicans  from  Lakes  Chaniplam  and  George,  and  com- 
pelled  them  to  seek  shelter  behind  the  Hudson. 


mifi 


CHAPTER  VUL 

The  evacuathm  of  Ticonderoga  and  Moimt  Independence  was  an  event^en- 
tirely  unexpected  by  the  Americans,  and  spread  surprise  and  alarm  throughout 
the  provinces,  particularly  those  of  New  England,  which  were  exposed  to  the 
mo8rimmedi;te  danger.'  St.  Clair  was  generally  blamed,  but  on  inquiry  wa« 
acquitted  although  the  Americans  were  not  too  indulgent  to  their  unsuccessful 
officers.  His  garrison  was  much  weaker  than  had  been  commonly  supposed; 
and  the  circumstances  of  the  retreat  show  that  a  considerable  number  of  his 
troops  were  of  the  worst  quality;  but  amid  the  agitation  and  alarm  occasioned 
by  the  abandonment  of  posts  on  the  lakes,  none  of  the  people  manifested  a  dis- 
position to  submit  to  British  authority.  c.  n  .  i  „o» 
^  General  Schuyler  was  on  his  way  to  Ticonderoga;  but  at  Stillwater  he  was 
informed  of  the  evacuation  of  the  fort;  and  at  Saratoga,  on  the  same  day,  he 
earned  the  total  loss  of  the  stores  at  Skenesborough.     Amid  this  disastrous  m 


24  « 


Tilt:   I'H   TDUIAI.  IIISTOUY 


Kii.  ion. 

MAP 

ShowinK  ih«  route 

"■^ 
GEN.  BURQOYNB 

previous 
lo  Ml  turrtnder  til 

SARATOGA 

Oelalier  17IA, 
1777. 


Note.  Thr  mute  of  Iht  army 
under  (i-n  BuTgoj/n*  ie 
eeen  6y  Ih*  double  (in«  as 


Kii..  1<)f>- 

MAP 

jwinn  th«  route 

.  BURQOYNB 

previous 
hit  lurrtnder  (1/ 

lRATOGA 

Oclolitt  17IA, 
1777. 


B.  Thf  route  of  tht  army 
itr  «»n.  flurffoyn*  «« 


246 


riiK  I'lc'.oiUAf,  iiisrouY 


tellicciice,  he  £«\r(I  imthiiiir  Irom  St  ("lair,  am'  '.vis  apprchensivo  of  Mie  tnta)  lo8» 
iif  ilic  iiarriHDii.  iin  lixoil  liis  lieuilijiiuriirs  at  l-'ort  Kilwrird,  iiii  tli<*  llmlsoii,  m 
riiiiKiuti  lortificatioii,  lil'iv-scvfii  miles  filidvc  Mbany,  wliicli  iiicrcly  mtv»'(1  i<i 
jjivf  ii  Maine  to  the  plact".  His  Wtrri',  ev«'ii  vvhoii  joiiird  liv  St.  ('lair,  liiil  not 
ixrt'i'd  4,400  men,  about  half  of  which  wan  militia,  and  the  whole  was  ill- 
cIoiIkmI,  ill-arincd,  and  dispirited  bv  the  rcci'iit  di.sastcrs. 

W'ltii  that  force  (ieiiiral  ScliuyU'r  coidd  not  lace  ilie  IJrilish  army;  ami  to 
[lain  time  was  to  him  ;>  matter  of  the  utmost  imjtortance.  I'or  this  purpose,  ho 
ordereil  dotachmeiitsol' his  men  to  obxtrucl  the  navigation  of  Wood  Creek  abovo 
Fort  Aim  ;  to  break  down  bridijes  ;  to  etit  trees  so  as  to  fall  across  the  road 
from  oi)posite  sides,  and  interminsjle  their  branches,  particularly  at  places  where 
the  line  of  roail  could  not  i)e  altered  ;  and  lo  throw  every  obstiicle  in  the  way, 
ill  order  to  retard  neiieral  Hiirsjoyne's  prowress.  Me  ordered  all  the  liorsi'S  and 
caiilf  luit  of  the  way  of  the  royal  army  ;  ami  broiinlit  off  from  Fort  (Jeorge  all 
the  aiiimuiiitioii  and  stores,  of  which  he  stood  miicli  in  need, 

\\  bile  (leneral  Schuvler  made  every  effort  to  retard  the  process  of  his  oppo- 
nent, he  exerted  himself  vigorously  to  sireri!.'tln^n  his  own  army.      He  solicited 
reinforcenuMits  of  regular  troops  ;  he  railed  on  the  militia  of  New  England  to 
join  the  army ;  and  used  all  his  personal  inlluence  in  the   surrounding  country 
to  inspire  the  people  with  military  ardor  and  patriotic  enthusiasm.     As  the  dan 
ger  was  alarming,  his  unwearied  exertions  were  actively  secimded  by  Wash 
ington  and  the  civil  authorities.     General  Lini-oln,  who  in  a  high  degree  pos 
sessed  the  coifnience  of  the  militia,  was  appointed  to  raise  and  command  them. 
Arnold,  who  had  a  high  reputation  for  gallantry  in  the  field,  was  directed  to  join 
the  northern  army ;  and  (llolonel  Morgan,  with   his   corps  of  riflemen,  was  or 
dered  to  the  same  (]uarter.    Colonel  Warner,  with  his  regiment,  was  sent  toward 
the  left  of  the  Hritish  army,  to  threaten  its  flank  and  rear,  and  to  assist  in  rais- 
ing the  militia.     Tents,  artillery,  ammunition,  and  other  necessaries,  were  dili- 
gently provided. 

While  General  Schuyler  made  every  exertion  to  strengthen  and  equip  his 
army.  General  Burgoyne  was  obliged  to  halt  at  Skenesborough,  in  order  to  give 
some  rest  to  his  exhausted  troops  ;  to  reassemble  and  reorganize  his  army, 
which  had  been  thrown  into  some  disorder,  and  considerably  scattered,  by  his 
rapid  movements  ;  to  bring  forward  his  artillery,  baggage,  and  military  stores  ; 
and  to  make  all  the  necessary  preparations  for  advancing  toward  Albany. 

During  his  halt  at  Skenesborough,  General  Burgoyne  issued  a  second  proc- 
lamation, summoning  the  people  of  the  adjacent  country  to  send  deputies  to  meet 
('olonel  Skene  at  Castletown,  in  order  to  deliberate  on  the  measures  which 
might  still  be  adopted  to  nave  from  destruction  those  who  had  not  yet  conformed 
to  his  first  proclamation.  General  Schuyler  issued  a  counter-proclamation, 
warning  the  people  m  be  on  their  guard  against  the  insidious  designs  of  »he  en- 
emy, and  assuring  them  that  they  would  be  considered  traitors,  and  puiiu>l.'d 
accordingly,  if  /hey  complied  with  his  propositions. 

But  this  war  of  proclamations  was  soon  followed  by  more  active  measures ;  for 
after  the  necessary  rest  to  his  army  in  the  vicinity  of  Skenesborough,  General 
Burgoyne,  nrnuh  elated  with  his  past  success,  and  cherishing  san,';-uin6  antici- 
pations of  fu'ure  victory,  began  to  advance  toward  the  Hudson.  On  proceeding 
up  Wood  crwk,  he  was  obliged  to  remove  the  impedimen  j  .vith  which  Gen- 
eral SchuyloT  had  encumbered  the  channel,  and  afterward  to  restore  the  roads 
and  bridge^  which  he  had  destroyed.  The  labor  was  great :  above  forty 
bridges  wert  constructed,  and  others  repaired,  one  of  which,  entirely  of  log- 
work,  was  ivei  a  morass  two  miles  wide.  This  prodigious  labor,  in  a  sultry 
«f  ason  of  the  year,  and  in  a  close  country  swarming  with  tormenting  insects,  the 
»rmv  perfo»aied  with  cheerfulness  and  untired  perseverance.     At  length,  with 


-««.-««Hi=S!<BlBgS^ 


vo  ot  111"  t'i'a'  lo"* 
(III  tin'  Iliiilsoii,  M 
ncrt'lv  •^•■rvi'il  to 
,-  St.  CUir,  iliil  iK'l 
U)   whole   was   ill- 

lisli  iiriny ;  ami  to 
ir  this  purpose,  ho 
^Vnoil  CriM'k  ahovn 
jicross  the  road 
ly  at  places  where 
Iwlncle  ill  llie  way, 
all  the  horses  ami 
)in  Fort  (Jeorge  all 

rojjress  of  his  oppo- 
■my.     He  solicited 
,f  New  Etigland  to 
urroundiiig  country 
iasm.     As  the  dan 
seconded  hy  Wash 
high  degree  pos 
and  command  theni. 
was  directed  to  join 
>f  riflemen,  was  or 
pnt,  was  sent  toward 
jid  to  assist  in  rais- 
cessaries,  were  dili- 

igthen  and  equip  his 
ugh,  in  order  to  give 
eorganize  his  army, 
ibly  scattered,  by  ids 
,  and  military  stores  , 
award  Albany, 
sued  a  second   proc- 
send  deputies  to  meet 
the  measures  which 
lad  not  yet  confortried 
counter-proclamation, 
lus  designs  of  »he  en- 
iraitors,  and  pu.-    i.-  d 

)  active  measures ;  for 
enesborough,  General 
ihing  sanpiiine  antici- 
Ison.  Oh  proceeding 
leni  •vitli  which  Gen- 
rd  to  restore  the  roads 
i8  great:  above  forty 
which,  entirely  of  log- 
gious  labor,  in  a  sultry 
tormenting  insects,  the 
ince.     At  length,  with 


.•»»wist=«iSW>,. 


248 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


little  opposition  from  the  enemy,  on  the  30th  of  July  it  reached  Fort  Edward, 
which  General  Schuyler  had  quitted  a  short  time  before,  and  retreated  to  Sara- 
toga. Gener;.!  IJurgoyne  might  have  much  more  easily  readied  Fort  Edward 
by  the  way  of  Lake  George  ;  but  he  had  been  led  up  the  South  river  in  pursuit 
of  the  fleeing  enemy  ;  and  he  persevered  in  that  diflicult  route,  lest  he  sthould 
discourage  his  troops  by  a  retrograde  movement. 


■*^  0-*^7~'^X 


Fio.  113.— Lake  George. 

At  Fort  Edward,  Goueral  Burgoyne  again  foinid  it  necessary  to  pause  ih  nis 
career  ;  for  his  carriages,  whith  in  the  bv-v  had  been  made  of  unseasi/Ued 
wood,  were  much  broken  down,  and  needed  to  be  repaired.  From  the  unavoid- 
able difficulties  of  the  case,  not  more  than  one  third  of  the  draught  horses  con- 
tracted for  in  Canada*  had  arrived  .  and  General  Schuyler  had  been  careful  to  re- 
move almost  all  the  horses  and  draught  cattle  of  the  country  out  of  his  way.  Boats 
for  the  navigation  of  the  Hudson,  provisions,  stores,  artillery,  and  other  neces- 
saries for  the  army,  were  all  to  be  brought  from  Fort  George  ;  and  although 
that  place  was  oidy  nine  or  ten  miles  from  Fort  Edward,  yet  such  was  the  con- 
ilition  of  the  roads,  rendered  nearly  impassable  by  the  great  quantity  of  rain  that 
had  fallen,  ♦hat  the  labor  of  .ransporting  necessaries  was  incredible.  General 
Burgoyne  had  collected  about  100  oxen  ,  but  it  was  often  necessary  to  employ 
ten  or  twelve  of  them  in  transporting  a  single  boat.  With  his  utmost  exertions 
he  had  only  conveyed  twelve  boats  into  the  Hudson,  and  provisions  for  the  army 
for  four  days  in  advance,  on  the  15th  of  August. 

In  order  to  aid  and  facilitate  the  operations  of  St.  Leger  on  the  Mohawk,  Gen- 
eral Burgoyne  wished  to  make  a  rapid  movement  down  the  Hudson ;  but  it  was 
not  easy  to  procure  provisions  (or  his  army.  The  difficulty  of  drawing  his  sup- 
plies from  Lake  George  was  every  day  to  increase  with  the  distance :  and  his 
left  flank  and  rear  were  threatened  by  General  Lincoln,  who  had  been  ordered 
by  General  Schuyler  to  join  Colonel  Warner,  to  collect  the  militia  of  New  Eng- 
land, to  endeavor  to  cut  oft' the  communication  of  the  British  army  with  Lake 
George,  or  even  to  make  an  attempt  on  Ticonderoga. 

In  these  circumstances,  General    Burgoyne   conceived  the  plan  of  procu 


■"•"-«»'='^«»««s«n,. 


UF  THE  AMERICAN   REVOLUTION. 


2»9 


Edward, 
to  Sara- 
Edward 
n  pursuit 
:ie  sthuuld 


luse  m  nis 
unseast-iied 
unavoid- 
lorses  con- 
re  fill  to  re- 
ay.   Boats 
neces- 
,d  although 
as  the  con- 
of  rain  that 
General 
to  employ 
It  exertions 
ir  the  army 

lawk,  Gen- 
but  it  was 
[ng  his  sup- 
lie  :  and  his 
een  ordered 
New  Eng- 
Iwith  Lake 

of  procu 


ring  a  fupply  for  his  army  from  a  different  quarter.  It  was  well  kncwn  tha 
the  American  army  received  live  cattle  from  New  England,  which  were  col- 
lected at  Bennington,  twenty-four  miles  east  from  the  Hudson,  where  a  largo 
doposite  of  carriages,  corn,  flour,  and  other  necessaries,  had  been  made.  For 
this  purpose  he  moved  down  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  ajid  encamped  nearly 
opposite  Saratoga,  which  place  the  American  army  left  on  the  15th  of  August, 
and  retieated  to  the  confluence  of  the  .Mohawk  and  Hudson  rivers.  He  sent  his 
van  across  the  river  by  a  bridge  of  boats  ;  and  at  the  same  time  despatched 
Colonel  Baume,  a  German  officer,  with  500  men,  partly  cavalry,  two  pieces  of 
artillery,  and  100  Indians,  to  surprise  Bennington. 

General  Stark,  with  the  New  Hampshire  militia,  400  strong,  happened  to  bo 
in  that  vicinity,  on  his  way  to  join  General  Schuyler.  He  heard  first  of  the 
approach  of  the  Indians,  and  soon  afterward  was  informed  that  they  were  sup- 
ported by  a  regiila"  force.  He  collected  h\s  brigade,  sent  expresses  to  the 
neighboring  militia  lo  join  him,  and  also  to  Colonel  Warner's  regiment  at  Man 
Chester.  On  the  morning  of  the  14th  of  .\ugust,  he  marched  against  the  enemy, 
at  the  head  of  700  men  ;  and  sent  Colonel  Gregg,  with  200  men,  to  skirmish  in 
their  front  and  retard  their  progress.  He  drew  up  his  men  in  order  of  battle  : 
but,  on  coming  in  sight  of  him,  Baume  halted  on  advantageous  ground ;  sent  an 
express  to  General  Burgoyne,  informing  him  of  his  situation  ;  and  fortified  him- 
self as  well  as  circumstances  wi  idd  permit. 

Some  small  skirmishing  parties  of  the  Americans  killed  several  Germans,  and 
two  Indian  chiefs,  without  sustaining  any  loss ;  and  this  slight  success  not  a  lit- 
tle elated  them.  In  a  council  of  war,  it  was  resolved  to  attack  Baume  next  day ; 
but  next  day  it  rained  incessantly,  and  the  attack  could  not  be  made,  although 
there  was  some  skirmishing. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  Stark,  having  received  some  reinforcements,  sent 
detac^'inents  by  the  right  and  left  of  the  enemy,  with  orders  to  unite  in  their 
rear,  and  begin  the  attack  in  that  quarter.  But  before  they  met  the  Indians  re- 
treated between  the  columns,  and  receiving  a  fire  as  they  passed,  sustained  some 
loss.  The  detachments,  according  to  orders,  began  the  attack  on  the  rear  of 
the  enemy,  and  were  assisted  by  Stark,  who  instantly  advanced  to  the  charge  in 
front.  Baume  made  a  brave  defence  ;  the  battle  lasted  two  hours,  during  which 
he  was  furiously  assailed  on  every  side  by  an  incessant  discharge  of  musketry. 
He  was  mortally  wounded  ;  his  troops  were  overpowered ;  a  few  of  them  es- 
caped into  the  woods  and  fled,  pursued  by  the  Americans  ;  the  rest  were  killed 
or  taken  prisoners.  Thus,  without  artillery,  with  old  rusty  firelocks,  and  with 
scarcely  a  bayonet,  these  militia  entirely  defeated  500  veterans,  well  armed, 
provided  with  two  pieces  of  artillery,  and  defended  by  breastworks. 

After  the  victory,  the  greater  part  of  the  militia  dispersed  in  quest  of  booty,  and 
their  avidity  for  spoil  nearly  proved  fatal  to  them ;  for,  on  receiving  Baume's 
express.  General  Burgoyne  ordered  Colonel  Brehman,  who  had  before  been 
sent  forward  to  Batten  hill  for  the  purpose,  to  march  to  the  assistance  of  his 
countrymen  with  the  Brunswick  grenadiers,  light  infantry,  and  chasseurs, 
amounting  to  500  men.  Colonel  Brehman  set  out  at  eight  in  the  morning  of  the 
15th  ;  but  the  roads  were  rendered  almost  impassable  by  incessant  rains  ;  and, 
although  he  marched  with  the  utmost  diligence,  yet  it  was  four  the  next 
afternoon  before  he  reached  the  vicinity  of  the  place  where  his  countrymen 
had  been  defeated.  The  first  notice  which  he  received  of  Baume's  disaster 
was  from  the  fugitives  whom  he  met  He  easily  repulsed  the  few  militia  who 
were  in  pursuit  of  them  ;  and,  from  the  scattered  state  of  Stark's  troops,  had  the 
prospect  of  being  able  to  make  himself  master  of  the  stores,  which  were  the 
great  object  of  the  expedition.  But  at  that  critical  moment  Colonel  Warner's 
reciment  of  continen'^als  arrived,  and  instantly  engaged  Brehman.     The  firinf; 


.'50 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


reassembled  the  scKitered  militia,  who  joined  in  the  battle  as  they  came  up 
Colonel  Brehnian  r.iaintained  the  conflict  till  dark  ;  when,  abandoning  his  artil 
lery  and  baggage,  he  retreated,  and,  escaping  under  cover  ol'  night,  with  the 
shattered  remna.it  of  his  detachment,  regained  the  camp. 

In  those  enf^agements  the  Americans  took  four  brass  field-pieces,  about  1,000 
muskets  f"  -.o\t  seasonable  supply  to  the  ill-armed  militia),  900  swords,  and 
ibur  bago;ge-wigons.  Exclusive  of  Canadians  and  other  loyalists,  the  loss  of 
the  royj.rarmy  could  not  be  less  than  700  men  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prison- 
ers, although  General  Rurgoyne  stated  it  at  only  about  400.  The  Americano 
admitted  the  loss  of  about  100  in  killed  and  wounded. 

This  was  the  first  check  which  General  Hurgoyne's  army  had  met  with,  and 
it  was  a  severe  one,  and  had  a  fatal  influence  on  the  campaijrn.  The  loss  of  a 
few  hundred  men  was  nothing  compared  with  the  efl'ects  which  it  produced  upon 
the  miiiils  of  the  people  :  it  greatly  elated  them,  and  gave  the  militia,  who  had 
been  much  dispirited  !)y  the  late  defeats,  conlidence  in  themselves,  and  encour 
aged  thein  to  hasten  to  the  army  in  great  numbers,  in  order  to  consummate  the 
work  which  tlicv  had  begun.  Refore  the  events  in  the  vicinity  of  Bennington, 
dejection  and  alarm  pervaded  the  northern  provinces  ;  but  those  events  dispelled 
the  gloom,  infused  spirit  and  vigor  into  the  militia,  and  gave  a  new  aspect  to  af- 
fairs on  the  Hudson. 

Th«  failure  of  the  attempt  on  Bennington  had  arisen  from  a  concurrence  ol 
circumstances  which  could  not  be  foreseen.  The  presence  of  Stark  was  purely 
accidental ;  and  the  seasonable  arrival  of  Warner  saved  both  the  stores  and  the 
disorderly  militia  from  the  hands  of  Brehman.  But  the  defeat  at  Bennington 
was  not  the  only  misfortune  which  General  Burgoyne  met  with  :  before  reach- 
ing Crown  Poiiit  he  had  despatched  Colonel  St.  Leger,  as  already  mentioned, 
whh  a  detachment  of  regular  troops,  Canadians,  loyalists,  and  Indians,  by  the 
way  of  Oswego,  to  make  a  diversion  on  the  upper  part  of  the  Mohawk  river,  and 
afterward  join  him  on  his  way  to  Albany. 

On  the  2d  of  August,  St.  Leger  approached  Fort  Stauwix  or  Schuyler,  a  log 
fortification,  situated  on  rising  ground  near  the  source  of  the  Mohav/k  river,  and 
garrisoned  by  about  600  continentals  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Gansevoort. 
Next  day  he  invested  the  place  with  an  army  of  sixteen  or  seventeen  hundred 
men,  nearly  one  half  of  whom  were  Indians,  and  the  rest  British,  Germans, 
Canadians,  and  loyal  Americans.  On  being  summoned  to  surrender,  Ganse- 
voort  answered  that  he  would  defend  the  place  to  the  last. 

On  the  approach  of  St.  Leger  to  Fort  Schuyler,  General  Herkimer,  who  com- 
manded the  militia  of  Tryon  county,  assembled  about  700  of  them  and  marched 
to  the  assistance  of  the  garrison.  On  the  forenoon  of  the  6th  of  August,  a 
messenger  from  Herkimer  found  means  to  enter  the  fort,  and  gave  notice  that 
he  was  only  eight  miles  distant,  and  intended  that  day  to  force  a  passage  into 
the  fort  and  join  the  garrison.  Gansevoort  resolved  to  aid  the  attempt  by  a  vig- 
orous sally,  and  appointed  Colonel  Willet  with  upward  of  200  men  to  that 

S6rvic6 

St.  Leger  received  information  of  the  approach  of  Herkimer,  and  placed  a 
larie  body  of  regulars  and  Indians  in  ambush  on  the  read  by  which  he  was  to 
advance.  Herkimer  fell  into  the  snare.  The  first  notice  which  he  received 
of  the  presence  of  an  enemy  was  from  a  heavy  discharge  of  musketry  on  his 
troops,  which  was  instantly  followed  by  the  war-whoop  of  the  Indians,  who  at- 
tacked the  militia  with  their  tomahawks.  Though  disconcerted  by  the  sudden- 
ness of  the  attac  ,  many  of  the  militia  behaved  with  spirit,  and  a  scene  of  unut- 
terable confusion  and  carnage  ensued.  The  royal  troops  and  the  militia  became 
80  closely  crowded  together  that  they  had  not  room  to  use  their  firearms,  but 
pushed  and  pulled  each  other,  and,  using  their  daggers,  fell  ,»ierced  by  mutua. 


I 


.;w-s:s«aif,^ 


UF  TIIK  AMERICAN  RRVOLUTION. 


'^di 


me  up 
s  artil 
iih  the 

t  1 .000 

(Is,  and 

loss  of 

prison- 
jerican* 

■iih,  and 
OSS  of  a 
;«id  upon 
who  had 
encour 
nate  the 
inington. 
dispelled 
ect  to  al- 

rrence  of 
as  purely 
s  and  the 
ennington 
)re  reach- 
nentioned. 
ns,  by  the 
river,  and 

yler,  a  log 

river,  and 

ansevoorl. 

hundred 

Germans, 

er,  Ganse- 

.  who  corn- 
Id  marched 
August,  a 
lotice  that 
Usage  into 
U  by  a  vig- 
|en  to  that 

.  placed  a 

t  he  was  to 
received 

etry  on  his 
Ins,  who  at- 
Ihe  sudden- 
Ine  of  uuut- 
litia  became 

Irearms,  but 
by  mutua! 


*«oiind.s.  Some  of  the  militia  lied  at  tlio  first  onset,  others  made  their  csi-ap* 
«fter\v;ird  ;  alioul  100  of  them  retreated  to  a  risiiisf  jfrouiid,  wliere  tliey  bravely 
lefeiided  themselves,  till  Sir  John  Jolinstoiie,  wiio  eominaiided  the  ami)us('aiU), 
found  it  necessary  to  call  off  his  men  for  the  del'eiiee  of  ilieir  own  camp.  In  the 
absence  of  the  party  ajfainst  Herkimer,  Colonel  W'illet  made  a  successful 
«ally,  killed  a  number  of  the  enemy,  destroyed  their  provisions,  tarried  off  some 
spoil,  and  returned  to  the  fori  without  the  loss  of  a  man. 

The  loss  of  Herkimer's  par'y  was  computed  to  amount  to  400  men  ,  the  gen 
eral  himself  was  among  the  slain.     Many  of  the  most  active  political  idiaracters 
in  that  part  of  the  country  were  killed,  wounded,  or  made  prisoners  ;  so  that  St. 
Leger  was  secured  from  any  further  troul)lc  from  tin;  militia.     St.  [..eger  again 
summoned  the  fort  to  surrender,  1);U  again  met  with  a  steady  refusal. 

(leneral  Schuyler,  deeming  it  a  iiiatter  of  importance  to  prevent  the  jmiclion 
of  St.  Leger  with  General  ilurgoyne.  despatched  Arnold  witli  a  considerable 
body  of  regular  troops  to  relieve  Fort  Schuyler.  Arn(>ld  apprehended  an  .\meri- 
can  of  some  wealth  and  inlluence,  who,  he  believed,  had  been  acting  the  part  ol 
a  traitor,  but  proinised  to  spare  his  life  and  fortune  on  condition  of  Ids  going  intc 
the  British  camp  before  Fort  Schuyler,  and  alarming  the  Indiiiiis  and  others  by 
magnifying  the  force  which  was  marching  against  them.  This  the  person  un- 
dertook and  executed.  Some  Indians,  who  were  friendly  to  the  Americans, 
communicated  similar  information,  and  even  spread  a  report  of  the  total  defeat 
of  General  Burgoyne's  army,  founded,  pr'-bably,  on  the  disaster  of  the  party  sent 
against  Bennington. 

Fort  Schuyler  was  better  construct-  -'  .  defended  with  more  courage  than 
St  liCger  had  expected  ;  and  his  ligh;  -tillery  made  little  impression  on  it. 
His  Indians,  who  liked  better  to  take  scalps  and  plunder  than  to  besiege  for- 
tresses, became  very  unmanageable.  The  loss  which  they  had  sustained  in  the 
encounters  with  Herkimer  and  Willet  deeply  alTected  them  ;  they  had  t.ipected 
to  he  witnesses  of  the  triumphs  of  the  British,  and  to  share  with  them  the  plunder. 
Hard  service  and  little  reward  caused  bitter  disappointment ;  and  when  they 
heard  that  a  strong  detachment  of  continentals  was  marching  against  them,  ihey 
resolved  to  seek  safety  in  tlight.  St.  Legcr  employed  every  argnment  and  ar- 
tifice to  detain  them,  but  in  vain  ;  part  of  them  went  off,  and  all  the  rest  threat- 
ened to  follow  if  the  siege  were  persevered  in.  Therefore,  on  the  22d  of  Au- 
gust, St.  liCger  raised  the  siege,  and  retreated  with  circumstances  indicating 
great  alarm:  the  tents  were  left  standing,  the  artillery  was  abandoned,  and  a 
great  part  of  the  baggage,  ammunition,  and  provisions,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
garrison,  a  detachment  from  which  pursued  the  retreating  enemy.  St.  Leger 
retired  to  Montreal,  whence  he  proceeded  to  Ticonderoga,  with  tin  intention  of 
joining  General  Burgoyne. 

General  Arnold  reached  Fort  Schuj'er  two  days  after  the  retreat  of  the  be- 
ftiegers ;  but,  finding  no  occasion  for  his  services,  he  soon  returned  to  camp 
The  successful  defence  of  Fort  Stanwix  or  Schuyler  powerfully  co-operated 
with  the  defeat  of  the  royal  troops  iit  Bennington  in  raising  the  spirits  and  in- 
vigorating the  activity  of  the  Americans.  The  loyalists  became  timid  ;  the  wa- 
ering  began  to  doubt  the  success  of  the  royal  arms ;  and  the  great  body  of  the 
cople  was  convinced  that  nothing  but  steady  exertion  on  their  part  was  neces- 
sary, to  ruin  that  army  which  a  short  time  before  had  appeared  irresistible. 

(Jeneral  Schuyler,  at  this  critical  period  of  the  campaign,  when  by  unwearied 
exertion  he  had  brought  the  northern  army  into  a  respectable  condition,  and  had 
the  fair  prospect  ot  gaining  the  laurels  due  to  his  industry  and  talents,  was  super- 
seded, and  General  Gates  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  arni_, .  General 
Schuyler  keenly  felt  the  indignity  offered  him,  by  depriving  him  of  the  command 
at  that  critical  juncture ;  but  he  faithfully  discharged  his  duty,  till  the  arrival  ic 


X 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


252 

.u  10.1,  „f  \u.nist  The  late  events  ha.I  greavlv 
..n,  onus  successor,  on  he  ^  \^,,^  J-'^.es  lound  the  army  in  a  lar  more 
chanue.!  the  asp>-ft  of  a  lairs  ,  *"''/  V'"'^^;; '  .  _.,.^i  ,vas  over;  and  many  of 
prounsinu  s,a,e  than  )..■  had  expected         he  lur  .^  ^^,^^^^,  ,^ 

b::;:^^:;;;';;:.^^^^!';:;;.:^.;;:;^  hy  the  reee.  .ccessof  the 

^■-r;n:^0;.nera.C.a,e.  entered  on  tJ.eon™^^ 

ep.s,oh.ry  .-orrespon^lonce  was  ^"J  ,  '^'^^  \  '":  0th  of  Augnst,  the  Rrit.sh 
„!•  ,iu.  .nos.  pleasant  or  ^•'•"'^'7'  '^^^.'^  ;;-^,  experienced  bv  the  loyalists  who  had 
j,enerMl  ..Hnphuned  ot  the  harsh  ^^•^''"^'j^^J .'.{'^^  retaliation.  On  the  2d  of 
Seen  n.uh-  prisoners  at  li>'""'"f  ';'  \;J''  s  letter,  and  recriminated  by  ex- 
Septen,her  .ln>  Ann-rican  general  •;^"^;"^  '  J  ^^  ,  ,j,,n,  who  accompanied 
pa  latino  on  .he  horru  a.roC.es  P^H  etral«-  h>  1^^,,^  ^„.i  in^puted  them  to 
,„.  ,,„.i,.sof  (leneral  Rnrgovne  =^''\<;«'"^^^  .^ed  '.^y  an  Indian  attached  to 
General  Hurgoyne.  On-  '''J^'^^'^'^.^^^^XTly  a  case  of  individnal  suffer- 
;^?:;I  ^TT;£;tmp;:l^;ontr;:ib;;J  mt^.  and  roused  indignatmn  to 

<l;t:Ut  o.cer  of  the  HrUish  -^^^^^tTsX^'"^^^^ 
MeOrea,  a  lovely  young  '-^  "f^Xr^aUa"  res  ding  near  Fort  Edward  ; 
daughter  of  a  gentlema.i  attached  to  the  ^^f  \.';'^^^;;^'  ^  ^^.rvice,  the  officer  was 
;;;;/they  had  agreed  to  be  n.arne.L  .»^^^\  ^^^^^e  ,nx.ous  for  her  safety 
removed  to  so.ne  distance  trotn  his  bnde  ,  an  ^^  ^^^  ^ 

and  desirous  of  her  company.  He  « W^^"  ^^  ^^^  on  who  should  de- 
„>  l,ring  her  to  catnp,  ^'l-' P'^7"'^,f/^;*^^ee'  C  bridegU.n,  and  acco.npamed 
liver  her  safe  to  hun.  She  f  ^-^f  J"  '^  ^^^  ehiefs!  each  being  desirous  of 
herlndiancon.luctors;  hutl.ythe  way  tne^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^^   ^^^.  ^^  ^ 

leceiving  the  pro.nised  reward,  <^  «Pf  ^-^^^^^^^^a,  according  to  their  usual 
to  her  lover.  The  d.spt.te  rose  to  '^  J"^"^' ;f^5^;„  instantly  cleft  the  htad 
„,e,Uod  of  disposing  ..f  a  disputed  J-^-^YmpTe  storf  "agical  and  affecting  in  it- 
of  ,he  lady  with  his  '»'":^^';^;t:,,efto  eSkter  he^mi.ids  of  the  people  against 
self,  contributed  m  no  slight  'leg^^^"  f^  ajj  ^f  guch  allies.  The  impulse 
tho^e  who  could  degrade  thetnsevMBb^^^^^^^  coun.erbalanced  any  ad- 

given  to  the  public  .nind  by  such  '^""^'^'•^^^J^^^^i.^^nce  of  the  Indians. 
Vantages  which  the  Ikitishderiw^rom  the  asa^  ^  ^^  ^ 

I„  n^ference  to  tins,  General   "-'^^e^  f^\^^  J  prisoners  who  fall  mto 

should,  in  their  warfare,  '"-"S^^  J^^j^P,  ^^^  ^  E  "he  famous  Lieutenant- 
their  hands  is  neither  new  nor  extraordmary^-b         ^^^^  ^.^^  ^^^  soldier  and 

General  Burgoyne,  in  whom  the  ^^  f '""..^Ip  Europeans  and  descendants 

scholar,  should  hire  the  ^^;'JZ''l^Z'T^X^^'^^'^^^^^ 

rve:ryazette.con.ir.n  the  truth  of  the  h^^^^  ,i,,,„,,  ,,aracter  and 

"  Miss  McCrea,  a  young  ady  l«vely  to  ^f^^^l  ^ith  other  women 

amiable  disposition,  engaged  to  an  «ff'^/l,«/.>"^;^aX carried  into  the  woods 
and  childreli,  taken  out  ol  a  h""-  "-^  ^J^cking  manner .     Two  parents  with 
and  then  scalped  and  mangled  in  a  '"«f.'~g^  inhumanity,  while  qmetly  re- 
iheir  six  children  were  all  '"^^f  «^  J  ?^/'j:,:i  r^.     The  mis;rable  fate  of  Miss 
siding  in  their  once  happy  and  peace  ul  J^veUi  ^^  _^^^^  ^^^^    ^^,^^   ^^ 

McCrea  was  particular  y  aggravated  ^X  her  ^^uig  ^^  ^^^  ^^     j^^^ 

llllJlmX iSllS;,r  JPS^  of  Sie  ruffi.ns.  to  whom. 


K-j=sr**iSi8ri«Kstsi!^     J* 


jrreailv 
I'iir  more 
many  of 
crii  there 
ss  of  the 

army,  an 
oync,  not 
o'  Ikitish 
who  hiul 
ho  2(1  of 
ed  hy  ex- 
ompauied 
1  iliein  to 
ttacheil  to 
iial  suiTer- 
gnatioii  to 

IS  of  Miss 
reputation, 
I  Edward ; 
iflicer   was 
her  safety 
;reiit  tribes, 
should  de- 
jcompanied 
desirous  of 
deiiver  her 
iheir  tisual 
eft  the  ht^d 
ecting  in  it- 
ople  against 
;'he  impulse 
ced  any  ad- 
iis. 

of  America 
vho  lall  into 
Lieutenant- 
soldier  and 
i  descendants 
o  barbarously 
facts  shall,  in 

iharacter  and 
other  women 
o  the  woods, 
parents  with 
le  quietly  re- 
B  fate  of  Miss 
,  her  promised 
)f  one  hundred 
ipns,  to  whom. 


iuumgton, 


and 


n^si-^aStitalSiSia^ 


f» 


---iM-,..."»;:fc^-Ti"-  = 


THE    PICTUHIAI.   HISTORY 


disappointed  ,n  the  expec.aUon  on...s,a.u.e  .Vo„.  fSu  Ug.r,  wa^^^ 

rosoutce.,  yet  he  .hd  not  -•-'«".;  ;•;-''-  ^  ^^^  !  "  e  t  accou,pl.«h  .he 
gaged,  but  still  nattered  hnnselt  with  1  e  ^  •P«  '  °;"'^^„,^,,  sul.sistcn'e  t.-r  b.s 
%L  .^.ect  of  the  camptgn^  ^^S^;  :.^  "l.lT  Snte  ntode  of  l.nngmg 
,rn.y,  *"V"'%°  *>7t  Je  a  .d  le  prosecnted  thi.  work  with  his  usual  a.U.r 
Muppive..  fr.m  1  "^J^^f''  'ul^  nil  v  unwearied  exertions  collected  provisions 
and  pers.-venii.'  industr>.      liauns  o>  Hudson,  in  place  ot 

,.„  Iny  days    =V  ^7"^'"'';:!:^,:;;'a:^tv^tod    L  cLsed  thJ  nv^r  on  .he 

with  the  ll-ls.m  .  >-ln  miles  above  '^"^''"> ' J  '"'^^J  y  Ji^.^ter  The  two  armies 
toward  .ho  .neniy,  and  iornied  a  strong  camp  "'^'^J  ^;;"^  ;;\\;^,  ,^,i.i,,,  between 
were  only  ahou,  'twelve  miles  distant  '-'n  eacl  ot  ^^^^%,^,,^  ,,,„ 
,„.,.    .  ere  bn,ke«  down,  the  roads  were  ba.^^^^^  ^^^  ,„, 

woou.  ,  cons<..i '«>'t  y  the  l"^"^'^'^'''' * '  '^^ 'f^w  a  d  H  was  attended  with  some 
irain  of  artillery  and  nmnerous  wagons,  was  slow,  ana 

skirmishing.  General  Burgovne  encamped  within  four  miles  of 

Ontheeveningolthe  17th   Oc.nerdiu  r^  y  '     ^     j^  jj         between 

the  American  army,  and  spent  the  .  ex    day  "^  ^^1  ^'J"'-     ^,^„,  nud-day,  on  the 

the  two  camps,  which  he  -^--^^P^^^;}''^.^^^^^ 

19ih  of  September,  he  pu.  himsell  at   le  ^^ff^^  American  camp  ;  General 

ceeded  along'the  great  '•"^';>  ";;;!';;:  "JfJ.^^^euding  armies  from  observing  the 
The  nature  ot  the  groun.l  pre  ented  '»^.,^»  "'^"""^J'  ^,„„t,  ^ere  in  constant 
movements  of  each  other  ;  but  General  ^;'^'^;; .^XlJh  ,,,„y.  He  detached 
activi.y,  was  soon  informe.l  oi  the  -Jvance  ol  he  "^'^^ J  "^^'^  ^^  „i,,,,,,  Uie 
Colonel  Morgan,  a  bold  an.l  -"- , ,1;-"^  j.^'^'^  Morg  oon'  met  the  advan- 
.notions  and  impede  the  Pr-'^r'.ss  <  ic  ^^^'^^  /j^^^^,,  ,he,„  back.  General 
ced  parties  m  front  ot  .he  Hriiisl   right  wmg,  an     ur  ^^^^^^^^^ 

Burgovne  supported  .hem  l)y  a  s  rong  ^^^  'ZoLrai  Gates  remtorced 
Morgan,  in  his  turn,  was  comi,elled  to  give  way  ""  Americans  attemple.t  to 
him,^and  the  engagement  became  more  genera^^  ^.fj;^,f  ^  J  Umg  it  in  the  rear , 
turn  the  right  .lank  of  .he  l^"'-^.  =;^';y;;j  \^t  made  a  rapid  movement,  and 
but,  being  opposed  by  t  razer  and  ^^  *^  '";^^";,7L^i,h  right  wing.  The  com- 
con'.menc'ed  a  furious  attack  I'^J  ^  ^j^  and  o m  in  the  after'-noon,  General 
batants  were  remtorced  ;  and  between  thee  ^^^J^^^  ^^,  ^i^^^ly  en- 

Arnold,  with  nine  continental  regimeiUs  ^"^  ^J^^g^"^  "^^  ^  ;,^^es  foughl'with 
gaged  with  the  who  e  ri.li.  -"'f  "\  ^^^^^J^  ..Xd^only  with  the  day.  When 
The  mo.s.  determined  courage  ;  '^'''^,;»;' ^\"'^^^^^^^  and  the  royal  troops 

it  becanie  dark,  the  Americans  withdrew  to     le^    Snhearmg  the  tiring  at  the 

tTSigh  the  wo'ods,  and  -"^ered  essentui  servu=e^ 

L  this  oattle,  in  -^-^.-^^Vra^^ld  woLdfd  a.Ithe  AmerLns  about 
tne  British  lost  upward  o   f »  in  ktlleu  aim  ^.^^^^^  ^^^  victory,  and 

S:SevXt3;tta;?:^^r ^w^Lce  U  had  beaten  the  whole  . 


«*n^.^&;-a^. 


OF  'IIIE  A.Mf:RICAN  KEVOLUTION. 


233 


to  his  own 

e  was  HU- 
iitplish  the 
nee  tor  I'lS 
)!"  l)riiij;ing 
isual  anU'r 
provisions 
n  place  ot 
•iver  OH  the 
IS  of  Sara- 

y-        .  . 

Jestiiieil  lor 

militia,  lelt 
le  Moliawli 

up  the  river 

two  armies 
res  between 
overeil  witb 

by  its  line 
d  with  some 

four  miles  of 
res  between 
]-day,  oil  the 
lis  army,  and 
np  ;  General 
iitry,  covered 
ded  in  front, 
leidesel,  pro- 
observing  the 
B  in  constant 
He  detached 

observe  the 
Bt  the  advan- 
.ck.  General 
jvere  conflict, 
ites  reinforced 

attempted  to 
;  it  in  the  rear  \ 
novement,  and 
sr.     The  corn- 
noon,  General 
ras  closely  eli- 
tes fought  with 
e  day.     When 
e  royal  troops 
J  tiring  at  the 
ery  forced  his 

tually  engaged, 
mericans  about 
the  victory,  and 
in  the  whole  ol 


di«  hostile  army.  But  although  neither  army  was  defeated,  it  was  evident  who 
had  gained  the  advasitage  ;  General  Burgoyne  had  failed  in  the  attempt  to  dis- 
lodge the  enemy,  and  his  progress  was  arrested.  His  communication  with  the 
lakes  was  cut  oH',  and  hii  resources  were  daily  failing ;  while  the  Americans 
had  the  same  opportunities  of  gaining  supplies  as  before,  and  their  strength  was 
still  increasing  by  the  arrival  of  fresh  troops.  In  such  circumstances,  to  figh» 
without  a  decisive  victory  was  to  the  British  nearly  eiiuivalent  to  a  defeat ;  and 
to  fight  without  being  beaten  was  to  the  Americans  productive  of  many  of  iho 
consecjuences  of  victory. 

Accordingly,  the  news  of  the  battle  was  received  with  joy  and  exultaflon 
throughout  the  United  States,  and  the  ruin  of  the  invading  army  was  confidently 
anticipated.  The  militia  were  encouraged  to  take  the  field,  and  assist  in  con 
summuting  the  work  so  auspiciously  begun.  At  that  time  the  army  under  the 
command  of  (Jeneral  Gates  did  not  much  exceed  7,000  men  ;  but  it  was  soon 
considerably   increased. 

On  the  (lay  after  the  engagement,  information  was  received  in  the  American 
camp,  wiiich  still  farther  raised  the  spirits  and  confirmed  the  confidence  of  the 
troops.  General  Lincoln,  who  had  been  sent  to  collect  the  militia  of  New  Eng- 
land, had  assembled  a  considerable  body  of  them  at  Manchester,  whence  he 
marched  to  l^uvlet,  a  small  village  on  a  rivulet  of  the  same  name,  which  falls 
into  Wood  c;eek.  From  that  place,  he  detached  three  parties,  consisting  of 
about  oOO  men  each  ;  one,  under  Colonel  Brown,  proceeded  to  the  north  end  of 
Lake  (Korge,  chiefly  with  the  intention  of  relieving  a  number  of  prisoners  cou- 
nned  there,  but  with  orders  to  carry  his  oflensive  operations  as  far  as  prudence 
would  permit ;  one,  under  Colonel  Johnson,  marched  against  Mount  Indepen- 
dence ;  and  a  third,  under  Colonel  Woodbury,  was  sent  to  Skenesborough,  to 
cover,  if  needt'ul,  the  retreat  of  the  two  others.  With  the  remainder  of  his  troops 
Lincoln  set  out  to  join  General  Gates,  and  reached  the  camp,  with  about  2,000 
men,  before  the  end  of  September.  Colonel  Brown  proceeded  with  such  secrecy 
and  address,  tiiai,  at  dawn  of  day  on  the  18th  of  September,  he  arrived  at  the 
north  end  of  Lake  George,  and  completely  surprised  the  outposts  between  the 
landing-place  and  Ticonderoga.  Almost  in  an  instant,  and  with  scarcely  any 
loss,  he  made  himself  master  of  Sugar  Hill,  or  Mount  Defiance,  Mount  Hope, 
an  armed  sloop,  several  gun-boats,  and  200  boats  which  had  been  employed  in 
transporting  provisions  for  the  army.  He  relieved  100  American  prisoners,  and 
took  nearly  300  of  the  enemy.  He  made  an  attempt  on  Ticonderoga,  but  tailed. 
Johnson  also  was  unsuccessful  against  Mount  Independence.  The  party  after- 
ward sailed  up  Lake  George  in  the  boats  which  they  had  taken,  attacked  Dia- 
moMil  Island,  which  General  Burgoyne  had  fortified  and  made  the  deposite  of 
all  the  stores  collected  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake,  but  were  repulsed.  They 
then  burned  the  vessels  which  they  had  taken,  and  returned  to  their  former  sta- 
tion The  success  of  this  party  in  the  early  part  of  their  expedition  was  soon 
proclaimed  tlirougiiout  New  England,  where  it  was  rumored  that  the  forts  were 
taken  ;  and  the  militia  were  invited  to  join  their  countrymen  in  arms  and  ensure 
tlie  ruin  of  the  invaders. 

Immediately  after  the  battle  at  Stillwater,  General  Burgoyne  took  a  posiuon 
ahnost  within  cannon-shot  of  the  American  camp,  fortified  his  right,  extended 
his  left  along  the  hills,  and  encamped  two  European  regiments  and  a  corps  of 
provincials  on  the  low  ground  on  the  bank  of  the  river  where  he  placed  his  hos- 
pital. He  used  every  endeavor  to  communicate  information  of  his  situation  to 
Generals  Howe  and  Clinton,  and  requested  and  expected  assistance  from  them ; 
but  those  officers  had  no  suspicion  of  his  danger,  and  were  not  able  to  atFord  hinj 
any  cflTectual  aid.     On  the  2l8t,  he  received  a  letter  from  General  Clinton  in- 


T  ■»''«sw«^*^^6siaS^j 


396 


niE   PlCTOIilAL  HISTORY 


forming  liiin  of  the  nieilitated  attack  on  Forts  Clinton  and  Montgomery  ,  but  tl.M 
attack,  iliough  successful,  availed  him  nothing. 

The  two  armies  lay  in  front  of  each  other,  each  fortifying  its  camp.  General 
liurifoyne's  provisions  were  daily  diminishing  ;  and  the  events  of  the  campaign 
so  little  answered  the  expectation  of  his  savage  allies,  that,  notwithstanding 
every  entreaty  and  remoiisi ranee,  they  ahandoned  him  ai  that  -.'ritical  period  itf 
the  campaign. 

After  the  baith;  of  Stillwater,  the  safety  of  the  British  army  lay  only  in  retreat 
It  was  unable  to  advance  ;  to  fall  hack  on  the  lakes  and  return  lo  Canada.  1- 
though  difficult,  was  not  then  impossihle.  Mut  every  hour  lessened  the  p  la- 
bility of  victory,  and  rendered  r(Ureat  more  impracticable.  Ceneral  Burguyne, 
however,  could  not  at  once  dismiss  all  the  splendid  visions  of  conipiest  and  glory 
which  had  so  long  dazzled  his  imagination  ;  and  he  flattered  himself  with  the 
hope  of  a  powerful  co-oj)eration  on  the  side  of  New  York,  which  had  not  been 
concerted,  and  was  not  lo  happen.  Under  those  delusions  he  lingered  in  his 
strong  camp  from  the  20th  of  September  till  the  7th  of  October.  During  that 
interval,  daily  skirmishes  happened,  which  accustomed  tlie  raw  troops  of  .Amer- 
ica to  the  face  of  an  enemy.  General  Gates,  sensible  that  delay  was  in  his 
favor,  meditated  no  inunediate  attack  on  the  hostile  camp ;  b\it  diligently  took 
measures  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  royal  army  from  the  toils  in  which  it  was 
entangled. 

General  Burgoyne's  difficulties  were  great  and  da..y  increasing.  His  army 
was  reduced  to  5,000  regular  troops  ;  his  provisions  were  almost  exhausted,  and 
bus  men  put  on  short  allowance  ;  his  horses  were  perishing  for  want  of  forage  ; 
he  was  so  environed  by  the  enemy  that  he  could  procure  no  fresh  supplies,  and 
he  had  received  no  recent  intelligence  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  He  could  not 
long  remain  in  the  position  which  he  then  occupied,  and  he  was  not  ignorant  of 
the  difficulty  and  danger  of  a  retreat.  In  these  circumstances  he  resolved  to  try 
the  fortune  of  another  battle  ;  as  a  victory  would  enable  him  either  to  advance, 
or  to  retreat  with  safety. 

Accordingly,  on  the  7th  of  October,  he  led  out  1,500  men,  well  provided  with 
artillery,  and,  accompanied  by  Generals  Philips,  Reidesel,  and  Frazer,  marched 
against  the  'nemy,  leaving  his  camp  on  the  high  grounds  under  the  care  of  Gen- 
erals Hamilton  and  Specht,  and  the  redoubts  and  posts  adjacent  to  the  river 
under  General  Gell.  General  Burgoyne's  detachment  had  scarcely  formed 
within  about  half  a  mile  of  the  enemy's  entrenchments,  when  its  left,  where  the 
)?'enadiers  were  posted,  was  furiously  assailed.  The  Germans,  who  were  on 
wiP  right  of  the  grenadiers,  were  also  soon  engaged.  Three  regiments,  undei 
General  Arnold,  proceeded  to  attack  the  riglitof  the  British  detachment  in  front, 
while  another  division  endeavored  to  turn  its  flank  and  gain  its  rear.  In  order 
io  frustrate  this  intention,  General  Frazer,  with  the  light  infantry  and  part  of  the 
24th  regiment,  was  ordered  to  cover  the  right ;  but,  while  he  was  making  a 
movement  for  that  purpose,  the  left  was  overpowered  and  gave  way.  To  save 
it  from  destruction,  Frazer  hastened  to  its  assistance  ;  but  met  with  an  American 
corps  of  riflemen,  which  briskly  attacked  him,  and  he  was  mortally  wounded  in 
the  conflict.  The  whole  royal  detachment  now  gave  way  ;  and,  with  the  loss 
of  most  of  its  arti  ry,  retreated  to  the  camp.  The  Americans  closely  pursued, 
and,  under  a  tremendous  fire  of  grape-shot  and  musketry,  fiercely  assaulted  the 
works  throughout  their  whole  extent.  Arnold,  who  conducted  the  assault,  urged 
on  his  men ;  but  was  ultimately  repulsed  by  the  British  under  the  immediate 
orders  of  General  Burgoyne,  after  having  had  his  horse  shot  under  him,  and  be- 
ing wounded  in  the  same  leg  which  had  been  injured  at  Quebec.  The  left  of 
the  American  detachment,  under  Colonel  Brooks,  was  more  successful.  It 
turned  the  right  of  the  royal  encampment,  stormed  the  works  of  the  German  re- 


■  -E*.^«5*j(a^\.^ 


OF   THK  AMKKICAN  REVOLUTION. 


357 


,'  ,  but  tl.a< 

General 
!  ciiinpaitjn 
iihstiiiiiling 
1  period  of 

Y  in  retreat 

the  Y      lii- 

Biiriii>y"«i 
si  anil  glDry 
ilf  with  the 
1(1  not  been 
ered  in  his 
During  that 
ps  of  Anter- 

was  in  his 
igently  took 
vhich  It  was 

His  army 
hausled,  and 
lit  of  forage  ; 
supplies,  and 
He  could  not 
jt  ignorant  of 
ssolved  to  try 
to  advance, 

provided  with 
izer,  marched 
3  care  of  Cen- 
to the  river 
ircely  formed 
eft,  where  the 
who  were  on 
riments,  undei 
iment  in  front, 
■ar.     In  order 
and  part  of  the 
was  making  a 
irav.     To  save 
h  an  American 
ly  wounded  in 
,  with  the  loss 
losely  pursued, 
'  assaulted  the 
0  assault,  urged 
the  immediate 
er  him,  and  be- 
3.     The  left  of 
successful.     It 
the  German  re- 


i  1 


'l^<!m!^,=!vmiSm 


17 


!-i 


«»" 


Tin:  PICTOK[\I-  HlSTORy 


•erve,  uf.iliT  Colonel  Hrpliin.iii,  who  was  killed,  and  his  troops  refr  h\,  with 
the  loss  of  nil  thi-ir  artillery  .irul  camj)  enuipaijc  ;  while  ikooks  nmuiiaineil  the 
ground  vvliirh  he  had  <raiiied. 

lJaiknt;«i.s,  as  on  ihe  I'Jih  ol  Septeinher,  put  an  end  to  the  hlooily  confliet ; 
and  the  ArntTieans  lay  aH  ni<;hi  un  tlicir  arms,  about  hall'  a  mile  Troni  the  linen, 
with  the  intention  ol'  renewing  the  assault  in  the  mornins;.  The  advantage 
whicli  lliey  had  >.'aii>eil  was  ^reat.  Without  any  considerable  08s.  they  had 
killed  many  ol  the  enemy,  made  upward  ol'  200  prisoners,  among  whom  were 
.several  otHci^rs  of  ilistineiioii,  taken  nine  pieces  of  brass  artillery,  all  the  baggage 
and  camp  eipii|)a<re  of  a  (u'rinaii  bri^;l  Ir.  obtained  a  lar(re  supply  of  ammunition, 
of  which  they  stood  mi'.ch  in  nfed.and  had  entered  the  royal  lines,  and  gained 
a  position  which  tiireatened  their  rear.  About  midniglit,  General  Lincoln 
Willi  his  division  marcheil  from  the  .Xmerican  camp  to  relieve  the  troops  who 
had  been  engaged,  and  to  occni)y  the  ground  which  they  had  won. 

(ieiieral  Burgoynu's  situation  was  now  critical  and  distressing.  Since  he  had 
come  fairly  into  contact  with  the  enemy,  lu!  had  met  '  'ith  an  obstinacy  of  re- 
sistance and  a  vigor  of  attack  wholly  unexpected.  In  the  late  encounters, 
the  Americans  had  shown  themselves  a  match  for  the  nest  veteran  troops,  and 
capable  of  improving  any  advantane  which  they  might  obtain.  Sensible,  tln-re- 
fore,  of  the  danger  of  encountering  the  events  of  next  day  on  tlu-  ground  wtiich 
he  then  occujiied,  (ieneral  Burgoyne  resolved  on  a  total  change  of  position.  Ac- 
cordingly, in  the  course  of  the  night,  in  a  silent  and  orderly  maimer,  and  with- 
<iut  any  interruption  from  the  enemy,  he  moved  his  camp  to  the  hills,  extending 
his  right  up  the  river.  The  entire  change  of  front  extricated  him  from  the  im- 
mediate danger  \vith  which  he  was  threatened,  and  induced  the  Americans  to 
make  new  dispositions. 

On  the  8th,  General  iJurgoyne  made  some  attempts  tt)  provoke  General  Gates 
to  attack  him  in  the  strong  position  which  he  had  taken  :  but  those  attempts 
were  inefiectual ;  for  General  Gates,  fully  aware  of  his  own  advantages  and  of 
tiie  difRculties  to  which  his  adversary  was  reduced,  declined  an  immediate  at- 
tack ;  but  was  active  in  taking  every  |)recaution  to  |)revent  the  escape  of  the 
royal  army.  He  posted  1,400  men  on  the  heights  opposite  the  ford  of  Saratoga, 
and  sent  strong  detachments  to  guard  the  fords  higher  up  the  river. 

rhe  8th  of  October  was  spent  in  skirmishing  and  camumading.  About  sun- 
set, the  body  of  (ieneral  Frazer,  wlio  had  been  mortally  wounded  on  the  prece- 
ding day,  was,  agreeably  to  his  own  desire,  carried  up  the  hill,  to  be  interred  in 
the  great  redmibt,  attended  only  by  the  olBcers  who  had  lived  in  his  family. 
Generals  Hurgoyne,  I'hilips,  and  Keidesel,  in  testimony  of  respect  and  affection 
for  their  late  brave  companion  in  arms,  joined  the  mournful  procession,  which 
necessarily  passed  in  vit;w  of  both  a.mies.  The  incessant  cannonade,  the 
steady  attitude  and  unfaltering  voice  of  the  chaplain,  and  the  firm  demeanor  of 
the  company  during  the  funeral  service,  though  occasionally  covered  with  the 
earth  torn  uj)  by  the  shot  from  the  hostile  batteries  ploughing  the  ground  around 
ihem,  the  mute  expression  of  feeling  pictured  on  every  countenance,  and  the  in- 
creasing gloom  of  the  evening,  all  contributed  to  give  an  affecting  solemnity  to 
t)ie  obsecpiies.  General  Gates  afterward  declared,  that  if  he  had  been  apprized 
of  what  what  was  going  on,  he  would  at  least  have  silenced  his  batteries,  and 
allowed  the  la^Jt  oHices  of  humanity  to  be  performed  without  disturbance,  or 
even  have  ordeieil  minute  guns  to  lie  tired  in  honor  of  the  deceased  general. 

General  Hurgoyne  being  informed  that  an  American  column  was  advancing 
witn  the  intention  of  gaining  his  right  (lank,  resolviid  immediately  to  retreat  to 
Saratoga,  about  ten  miles  up  the  river.  He  began  his  march  about  nine  in  the 
evening  of  the  8th,  leaving  behind  him  several  boats  loaded  with  Drovisiona  and 
baggage,  and  his  hospital,  containing  about  ,300  sick  and  wounded  men.  toward 


1(1,  with 
tallied  the 

conflici ; 
tht;  lineu, 
advaiiiage 
they  hinl 
hoin  were 
16  baggage 
iiinuiiition, 
nd  i;ained 
al  Lincoln 
roops  who 

nee  he  hail 
lacy  of  re- 
;ncouiiters, 
troops,  and 
ihlti,  lliore- 
)uiid  which 
sition.  Ac- 
•,  and  with- 
,  extending 
ini  the  iin- 
noricans  to 

neral  Gales 
se  attempts 
iges  and  of 
nnediate  at- 
jcape  of  the 
of  Saratoga, 

About  sun- 
n  the  prece- 
e  interred  in 
1  his  family, 
and  affection 
ssion,  which 
inonade,  the 
demeanor  of 
;red  with  the 
round  around 
;,  and  the  in- 

solemnity  to 
leen  apprized 
batteries,  and 
islurbance,  or 
I  general, 
'as  advancing 

to  retreat  to 
ut  nine  in  the 
jrovisions  and 
I  men,  toward 


OF  Tilt  A.MtUiCAN  KEVOLUTION. 


239 


■■'''!'' 

-M 

i'lPt-' 

'l''^^^liK''V 

i 

IH" 

4kM|i| 

.  „  ;  '^ .I.  ■ 

■*i*'i 

HnKikl^ 

vSGc :  uJAnlfli 

B^R^S^ 

ft 

|nri,, 

uiii'^s^ 

..';  y,  H'l 

LI 

"Tmillll^,, 

B%  ■•  .  ^ 

•-'    V,  Bi.     ■ 

1} 

|fejL|, . 

^SEl'^WSI 

•  ^'v  n' 

fl 

I|v*^'''; 

''  :./-?T     w| 

'.":.,,  •  v'  ^4..,. 

LI 

fe' 

slH 

s? 

^ 

.;;:v   •        ■:  'T". 

^ 

K^fe-   ■ 

''    '"'V'i'''l0 

4 

".l''".'-      'V      -V 

A 

^Iw-'''' 

"''''-'vLV 

s 

L',  •  i^T 

'  vL^K 

'I 

:jff' 

(,'■',  ^'  !.•      ^ 

-^ 

■    ' 

wU 

< 

'W'- 

te»,/^'^^^n- : 

v^ 

^.ijA? 

"'ii9 

3^ 

5" 
m 

o 

s 

i: 

^B^^Mj^mbIM 

^^M 

111  il^B 

X 
I 

W 

■*> 

H%« 

.o 

\' 

ij,;        ''if |''i'"".  ,:,; 

3! 

HH^HH^Jfl^l 

h 

VP\   -;; 

Wk       '.i^'j*^ 

p 

'i' 

•   T  '1       'Ki 

y 

W  '"•  "' 

Hk''  t  '            \.-  ■ 

»: 

i  ^f    ■ 

•>>.yj-      f  •AaaovbTi 

/ 

■'    '.ILv  :■" 

Bi!'''^':  '  •,,iT-H,«i;.'ai 

tb 

'  4 

4     5    ', 

-'In  'y 

.  fVTf'.'TJimH' 

■"    . 

i^Hi^^ 

i 

1*." 

a 

'"  :>•''•_. '" 

^      ,                     .  ■    , 

k 

Hl-ixl: 

■'J^  ■   '  vl 

p- 

>    ^    '<'^<.     -     ■_                                      4. 

'■V '  ■  ^-i 

jk  'Mt 

'■}    '^ 

^ 

■  A" 

Ik^'^ 

,,.  M 

~''4    ^ 

^-   i\Ai)) 

niif 

■■'.  s 

.^v^ix^iv^,?!^  v. 

^ 

t\ 

-  '  '*'% 

hii'              '   m 

■f' 

2 

i 

1 

•60 


THE  l'lC'li)UlAl-  lllSTOUY 


..;5i.;S5j^,te;^iJj;s!yj"j^jgl, 


OF  TUt:  AMKi;ii\N  i!i:voM  ri().\. 


361 


whom  G(>ri(>ral  Oiites  Ix'liiivfd  witli  liis  usu.il  liiitnuiiiiy  ;  Imt  tlie  roails  were  so 
l)a(l,  ami  llic  Ihmvv  rains  so  iii(fss;iiii,  lliat  ii  was  llu;  fvciiinii  of  next  :lay  Im- 
fore  tlie  army,  much  tatiirufd,  rcaclinl  S;irai(i<;a,  inv]  it  was  not  till  llic  forenoon 
of  the  10th  that  iht'  rear  passcil  tin'  lorls  of  I'islikill  rrri'k  a  liitlf  farther  north. 
On  arrivinj;  at  the  ffroimii  which  he  intended  to  oecnpy,  (General  Miirgoyne  found 
a  party  of  the  ciieiny  already  in  possession  of  it;  hut  on  his  approach  thev  re- 
treated, and  joined  their  countrymen  on  tlu;  east  of  the  river 


^^-. 


c 
£ 


Fio.  117. — Field  of  Sarato(;a. 

The  rain,  whidi  continued  dnrinjr  the  whole  of  the  9th.  and  greatly  retarded 
the  march  of  th(^  royal  army,  kept  the  Americans  in  their  camp  ;  but  it  had  no 
sooner  ceased,  than  General  Gates  set  out  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  enemy. 
As  the  roads,  however,  were  extremely  l)ad,  and  the  bridges  broken  down  by 
the  British,  it  was  some  time  before  he  overtook  them. 

From  his  camp  above  Fishkill  creek,  (General  Burgoyne  sent  forward  a  com 
pany  of  artificers,  escorted  by  a  regular  regiment,  some  riflemen,  and  a  body  o. 
provincials,  to  repair  the  roads  and  bridges  leading  to  Fort  Edward,  to  enable 
the  army  to  pursue  its  march  to  that  place.  This  par*;-  had  not  long  left  the  camp, 
when  the  Americans  appeared  on  the  heights  below  Fishkill  creek ;  and  made 
dispositions  as  if  intending  to  force  a  passage  and  attack  the  royal  army.  Gen- 
eral Burgoyne,  therefore,  recalled  the  regular  troops  escorting  the  artificers  ;  and 
the  provincial  corps,  under  whose  protection  the  workmen  were  left,  being  at- 
tacked by  a  small  party  of  the  enemy,  who  had  gained  the  front  of  the  royal 
army,  fled  on  the  first  fire,  and  consequently  the  artificers  were  obliged  to  re- 
turn to  camp,  without  having  performed  any  part  of  the  task  to  which  they 
were  appointed.  As  the  roads  could  not  be  repaired,  the  baggage  and  artillery 
of  the  army  could  not  proceed. 

The  Atnericans  not  only  guarded  the  ford  of  Saratoga,  but  lined  the  whole 
eastern  bank  of  tlie  river.  Parties  of  them  were  advanced  between  the  British 
army  and  Fort  Edward  ;  and  they  had  also  thrown  up  entrenchments,  provided 
with  artillery,  on  the  high  grounds  between  Fort  Edward  and  Fort  George 
The  detachments  on  the  eastern  bank  so  much  annoyed  the  British  boats  in  the 
river,  that  General  Burgoyne  was  obliged  to  land  his  provisions,  and  carry  them 
to  camp,  up  a  steep  hill,  under  a  galling  fire  from  the  enemy. 

The  British  general  was  now  in  a  most  distressing  situation.  He  had  crossed 
the  Hudson  in  the  confident  hope  of  victory  and  triumph,  and  in  the  expectation 
of  a  powerful  co-operation  from  the  lower  parts  of  the  river,  if  needful.  On  the 
21st  of  September,  after  the  battle  of  the  19th  had  in  some  measure  made  nine 


f^'!'V;.V!>  l-?*vrt.^k'."    ■ 


''62 


THE   PICTOUIAL  HISTORY 


Henry  Clinton, 
anil  Montgomery 


sensible  of  his  .lifTiculties,  he  rfceive.l   a   ni.-ssrnger   from    Sir 
whoinfDrmed  him  of  the   inlemled    attack  on   Forts  Clinton  ^  ^.  -  ,,^„- 

That   messenger  he  immediately   sent  back  with  a  letter,  infot-nnng  Str   Henry 
Clinton  of  his  abilitv  an.l  determination  to  maintain  the  ground  wnich  he  then 
occupied  till  the  12lh  of  October,  and  re.iu.stmg  assistance.     I  «  l';^*!  «^  '    ^'^ 
messengers,  by  different  r.,utes,  with  the  same  mform-ition,  but  had  heard  noth- 

ins  further  frt)m  New  York.  i„i„„„,i  »;ii 

The   attack   on    Forts   Clinton  and  Montgomery,  wnicli  had  been  de  ayed  till 

the  arrival  of  reinforcetnents  from  Europe,  liad  been  '^"'^^!"^^  "' >^  "'''fY„i  in 
voyage  of  those  rcinforcem.'uts  was  tedious;  b«t  they  arrived  at  New  York  in 
thJiid  of  September,  and  Sir  Henry  Clint,.  ..thout  delay  -"'--^ed  3  OQO 
men  in  vessels  of  liffer.^nt  descriptions,  and,  convoyed  by  some  ships-of-wai 
under  Commodor.    llotham,  sailed  up  the  Hudson. 

Forts  Clint.,,,  and  Montgomery,  against  which  the   expedition  was   directed 
were  situated   on   high  ground  of  difficult  access,  on  the  western  bank  of    he 
river,  about  liftv  miles  above  New  Ydrk.     They  were  separated  by  a  r  vulet 
which,  flowing  from  the  hills,  empties  itself  into  the  Hudson.      Under  cm  er  oJ 
the  guns,  a  boom  was  stretched  across  the  river  from  bank  to  bank,  and  strength- 
ened by  an  immense  iron   chain   in    front,  as  well  as  s«p,nme.l  by  chevaux-de- 
frise  sunk  behind  it.    Above  this  strong  barrier,  a  frigate  and  ga  leys  were  moored 
so  as  to  be  able  to  direct  a  heavy  fire  against  any  vessels    hat  might  attemp 
to  force  a  passage      This  seemed  to  present  an  insuperable  obstacle  in  the  way 
of  the  British  ship  ...g  toward  Albany       Fort  Independence   stood    our   or  five 
miles  below,  on  a  high  point  of  land,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.     Fort 
S  stitution'was  six  m.leJ  above  the  boom,  on  an  island  near  ^^e  ^^-^n  ^^ 
Peekskill,  the  headquarters  of  the  officer  who  comman.  ed  on  the  Hudson,  from 
Kingsbidge  to  Albany,  was  just  below  Fort   Independence  on  the  same  side. 
Gen'eral  Putnam  then  held  that  command,  and  had  about  2,000  men  under  h.m^ 
On  the  5lh  of  October,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  landed  at  Verplancks  Point,  a  lit- 
tie  below  Peekskill,  on  the  same  side  of  the  river      General   Putnam,  appre- 
uendhig  that  the  enemy  intended  to  attack  Fort  Independence,  and  to  ma  ch 
hro2  the  highlands  on  the  east  of  the  river  toward   Albany,  retired  to  the 
hSs  in  his  rear ;  and.  entertaining  no  suspicion  of  the  real  point  ol  attack, 
neglected  to  strengthen  the  garrisons  of  the  forts  on  the  western  bank. 

The  British  fleet  moved  higher  up  the  river,  m  order  to  conceal  what  was 
passing  a  the  place  where  the  troops  had  landed;  and  on  the  evening  of  the 
Say  on  which  he  had  arrived  at  Verplanck's  Point,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  embarked 
upward  of  2,000  of  his  men,  leaving  the  rest  to  guard  that  post  Early  next 
moTnL  he  anded  at  Stony  Point,  on  the  west  s  de  of  the  river,  and  »n»"ed lately 
began  his  march  over  the  mountains  toward  the  forts.  The  roads  were  difficul 
and  the  enterprise  perilous  ;  for  a  small  body  of  men  properly  posted,  might  not 
only  have  arrested  his  progress  but  repulsed  him  with  much  loss.  He,  however^ 
Shed  the  vicinity  of  the  forts  before  he  was  discovered  ;  there  he  fell  in  with 
a  patroirwho  immediately  retreated,  and  gave  warning  of  the  approaching 

^'STween  four  and  five  on  the  afternoon  of  the  6th  of  October,  the  British  ap- 
peared  before  the  forts,  which  they  summoned  to  surrender  ;  and  on  receivinB 
a  refu-^al  instantly  advanced  under  a  heavy  fire  to  the  assault^  Both  forts,  gar- 
risoned by  about  600  men,  were  attacked  at  the  same  time  Fort  Montgomery, 
bvclS  Campbell  at  the  head  of  900  men;  and  Fort  Clinton,  the  stronge 
of  the  two  posts,  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  with  1,200.  Fort  Montgomery  wa. 
soon  taken  f  but  Colonel  Campbell  fell  in  the  attack.  Most  of  the  garrison,  fa 
v^ed  by  the  darkness  and  by  their  knowledge  of  the  passes,  made  their  escape 


A<i!Pf-thmm»s&Sii^HP>^ 


y  Clinton, 

mtgomery 
<ir  Henry 
li  he  then 
sent  other 
card  noth- 

elayed  till 
Kle.  The 
w  York  in 
ked  3,000 
lips-of-wat 

i  directed, 
ink  of  the 

a  rivulet, 
;r  cover  of 
1  strength- 
hevaux-de- 
)re  moored, 
ght  attempt 
in  the  way 
jur  or  five 
iver.     Fort 
tern  bank  : 
idson,  from 
same  side, 
under  him. 
Point,  a  lit- 
lani,  appre- 
l  to  march 
ired  to  the 
it  of  attack, 
k. 

what  was 
ning  of  the 
n  embarked 
Early  next 
mmediately 
ere  difficult 
d,  might  not 
[e,  however, 
fell  in  with 
ipproaching 

!  British  ap- 
in  receiving 
th  forts,  gar- 
lontgomery, 
the  stronger 
Ejomery  wa» 
ganison,  fa 
;heir  escapo 


OF  THE  -AMEUICAN  REVOLUTION. 


J63 


•J 


•^64 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


At  Fort  Cliiitori  the  resistance  was  more  obstinate  ;  but  tl'at  fort  also  was  storiB 
ed,  and  a  considerable  number  of  the  garrison  killed  or  made  prisoners. 

General  Putnam  had  no  suspicion  of  the  real  point  of  attack  till  he  hoard  th; 
firing,  when  he  despatched  500  men  to  the  assistance  of  the  garrisons  ;  but  th« 
forts  were  taken  before  they  arrived,  and  conseqih^ntly  they  returned  to  camp 
In  storming  the  forts,  the  ikitish  had  about  150  men  killed  or  wounded.  Be- 
sides Colonel  Campbell,  Captain  Stewart,  .Major  Sill,  and  Count  Grabousky,  a 
Polish  nobleman  who  served  as  a  volunteer  in  the  royal  army,  were  among  the 
shin.     The  Americans  lost  300  men,  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  prisoners. 

The  American  vessels-of-war  in  tiie  river,  being  unable  to  escape,  were  burn- 
ed by  their  crews,  in  order  to  prevent  them  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  tlie 
British,  who  removed  the  boom  and  chain,  and  opened  the  navigation  of  the 
river.  Fort  Independence  was  evacuated  ,  and  Fort  Constitution,  where  the 
iia>'igation  was  obstructed  by  a  boom  and  chain,  was  also  abandoned,  without 
any  attempt  to  defend  it.  The  British  proceeded  up  the  river,  destroying  every- 
thing in  their  power.  They  advanced  to  Esopus,  which  they  laid  in  ashes ; 
but  proceeded  no  farther.  In  this  expedition,  they  took  or  destroyed  a  large 
quantity  of  American  stores. 

General  Putnam  retreated  up  the  river  ;  informed  General  Gates  that  he  was 
unable  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  enemy,  and  advised  him  to  prepare  for  the 
worst.  But  although  his  rear  was  threatened.  General  Gates  was  eager  in  im- 
proving the  advantages  he  had  gained  over  the  British  army,  which  was  now 
reduced  to  the  most  distressing  circumstances. 

General  Burgoyne,  having  been  defeated  in  his  intention  of  repairing  the  road 
to  Fort  Edward,  called  a  council  of  war,  which  adopted  the  desperate  resolution 
of  abandoning  their  baggage,  artillery,  and  stores  ,  and  with  their  arms  only,  and 
such  provisions  as  they  could  carry  on  their  backs,  marching  in  the  night  to  Fort 
Edward,  crossing  the  river  at  the  ford  there,  or  at  one  a  little  above  it,  and  for- 
cing their  way  to  Fort  George.  The  distance  was  only  about  thirty  miles  ;  but 
the  scouts  who  had  been  sent  out  to  examine  the  route,  reported  that  the  two 
fords  were  all  already  guarded  by  strong  detachments  provided  with  artil'ery,  so 
that  the  resolution  wiiich  had  been  taken  could  not  be  executed.  In  i.eae  hope- 
less circumstances.  General  Burgoyne  again  summoned  his  council  of  war,  and, 
by  the  unanimous  advice  of  the  members,  opened  a  correspondence  with  Gen- 
eral Gates,  on  the  13th  of  October ;  and,  on  the  16ih  terms  of  capitulation  were 
agreed  on,  by  which  it  was  stipulated  that  the  troops  under  General  Burgoyne 
should  next  day  marcli  out  of  their  camp,  with  the  honors  of  war,  and  the  artil- 
lery of  the  entrenchments,  and  pile  their  arms  at  the  verge  of  the  river ;  lliat  a 
free  |)assage  should  be  granted  them  to  Great  Britain,  on  condition  of  not  ser- 
ving in  North  America  during  the  war,  unless  exchanged ;  and  that  they  should 
oinbark  at  Boston.  To  these  a  number  of  articles  of  less  importance  wer«  added, 
relating  to  the  property  of  the  officers,  ('anadians,  and  loyalists,  the  march  of 
the  troops  through  New  England,  and  other  similar  points.  On  the  1 7th,  tiiu 
British  army  piled  their  arms  agreeably  to  the  capitulation. 

When  the  IJritish  army  left  Ticorsderoga  it  consisted  of  about  10,000  men 
exclusive  of  Indians  ;  but,  by  the  casualties  of  war,  and  by  desertion,  it  was  re- 
duced to  about  6.000  at  the  time  of  the  surrender.  It  contained  six  members  ai 
parliament.  Geiiern!  Gates  had  then  under  his  command  upward  of  9,000  f.on- 
tineiitals  and  4,000  ni'lilia.  On  this  occasion  the  Americans  gained  a  remark;! 
bly  fine  train  of  brass  artillery,  amounting  to  forty  pieces  of  different  descrip- 
tions, and  all  the  a''ms  and  baggage  of  the  troops.  Such  was  the  fate  of  that 
army  which  iw'  exciU'd  high  expectations  in  Britain,  and  which,  at  first,  spread 
alarm  and  dismay  throughout  the  United  States  of  America. 

In  con»euuence  of  the  caipitulatio '  ',t  Saratoga,  the  British  were  unable  to  re 


r.^'ta 


was  sloriB 

e  heard  th 
lis  ;  but  the 
(I  10  camp 
nJed.  Be- 
rabousky,  a 
among  the 
isoners. 
,  were  burn- 
lands  of  the 
at  ion  of  the 
,  where  the 
ned,  without 
oyingevery- 
d  in  ashes ; 
yed  a  large 

I  that  he  was 

spare  for  the 

eager  in  im- 

ch  was  now 

iring  the  road 
•ate  resolution 
rms  only,  and 
B  night  to  Fort 
ire  it,  and  for- 
ny  miles  ;  but 
that  the  two 
h  artil'ory,  so 
.r.  .itaehope- 
il  of  war,  and, 
ce  with  Gen- 
itulatiou  were 
eral  Burgoyne 
and  the  artil- 
1  river ;  tVat  a 
on  of  not  ser- 
,at  they  should 
ce  wer*^  added, 
the  nwvrh  <^f 
the    nth,  tiiw 

10,000  men 
tion,  it  was  ro- 
Ijix  inembors  o( 
I  of  9,000  con- 
lod  a  remarks 
Vercnl  descrip- 
he  fate  of  that 
at  first,  sprea<? 

re  unable  to  re 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOMTTIOX 


7nr. 


4ani  possession  of  the  forts  on  the  lakes.  They  therefore  destroyed  the  works 
of  Tieonderoga  and  its  dependaneies,  tlirew  the  heavy  artillery  into  the  lake, 
and  rciiHiiied  to  Isle  aux  Noix  imd  St.  John's. 

Tlie  iSTL-.iX  error  of  General  Burgoyne  arose  from  his  too  ardent  desire  not  to 
(lisappoinr  public  t-xpectation,  and  his  unwillingness  to  renounce  the  fond  hope 
(if  viciorv.  coinpu'sl,  and  renown.  These  induced  him  to  linger  on  the  Hudson 
till  retreat  became  impracticable.  The  American  troops  who  subdued  him,  es- 
pecially the  militia,  were  irritateil  by  some  marauding  parties  of  the  English,  who 
pillaged  so  nnicii  that  the  general  found  it  necessary  to  threaten  the  culprits 
with  the  utmost  severity  of  military  law. 

The  convention  at  Saratoga  ought  to  have  .iixiuced  the  British  cabinet  to  a  <an 
don  the  contest,  on  the  best  terms  that  could  be   obtained  ;  for  there  was   little 
proliabiliiy  of  subjugating  a  people  who  had  been  able  to   maintain    such  a   pro 
traded  struggle,  and  who,  in  the  course  of  the  can>>'Mgn,  had  nui  only  !ji  en^rm 
ployinent  to  a  powerful  army,  under  Generals  Sir  ^Villiam  Howe  and  Sir  Hen»fy 
Clinton,  but  had  also  compelled  another  army,  consisting  at  first  of  10,000  ex- 
cellent troops,  commanded  by  active  and  enterprising  ofB<  .;rs,  to  lay  down  their 
arms.     This  success  elevated  the  spirits  of  the  friends  ot    ungress.  and  incre*«ed 
their  numlier.      At  first,  the  British  government  had  not  a  tew  who  were  friendly 
to  it  from  principle,  and  many  more  who  did  not  oppose  it  Iroin  prudence.     The 
measures  ot' the  British  ministry  and  the  conduct  of  their  agents  daily  diminish- 
ed the  numi)er  of  the  first  of  these  ;  and  every  success  of  the  troops  of  congress 
encouraged  some  of  the  second  to  abandon  their  cautious  policy,  and  espouse 
the  cause  of  their  countrymen. 

The  surrender  of  the  army  under  General  Burgoyne  at  Saratoga  was  an  event 
of  great  impirtancc  in  the  history  of  t^e  war,  and  produced  momentous  conse- 
quences both  in  America  and  in  Europe.  It  elevated  the  spirits  of  the  republicans, 
inspired  them  with  confidence  in  themselves,  gave  a  new  impulse  to  their  exer- 
tions in  the  cause  of  independence,  and  taught  the  British  troops  to  respect  an 
enemy  whom  liefore  they  had  too  much  despised. 

The  consequences  of  this  event  were  not  less  important  in  Europe.  The 
ministry  and  people  of  Great  Britain  had  entertained  the  most  confidenc  expec 
lations  ol  the  complete  success  of  the  northern  army  ;  and  the  easy  conquest  of 
Ticonderoga,  with  its  dependancies,  confirmed  all  their  fond  anticipations. 
Therefore,  when  they  heard  that  General  Burgoyne's  army  was  not  only  de- 
feated, but  compelled  to  lay  down  its  arms,  they  were  struck  with  astonishment 
and  dismay. 

The  great  powers  on  the  continent  of  Europe  had  been  attentive  observers 
of  the  struggle  between  Great  Britain  and  her  colonies,  and  to  those  powers  the 
Americans  liad  early  applied  for  assistance.  But  the  strength  cf  Britain  was  gigan- 
itf  ;  and  to  provoke  her  vengeance  by  aiding  her  rebellious  subjects  was  a  dan- 
ger not  rashly  to  be  encofiittered.  Although  the  continental  cabinets,  especially 
th'ii  of  Versailles,  had  not  discouraged  the  applications  of  the  Americans,  yet 
they  J»itH  not  given  them  any  open  countenance  or  avowed  aid.  They  had,  in- 
deed. ,»<for(led  the  provinces  clandestine  marks  of  good-will,  but  still  preserved 
the  semblance  of  neutrality.  The  obstinate  struggle,  however,  which  the  Amer- 
icans had  maintained,  and  their  success  at  Saratoga,  put  an  end  to  this  wary  and 
hesitating  policy.  It  was  now  evident  that  the  resistance  of  the  colonies  WdS 
not  merely  mi  ebullition  of  popular  fury,  likely  soon  to  subside  or  to  ne  easily 
overcome,  i)ut  that  it  wa.s  a  steady  and  organized  plan,  conducted  with  respecta- 
ble ability,  and  likely  to  be  crowned  with  ultimate  success  The  court  ot  France 
began  to  throw  off  the  mask.  It  became  less  reserved  in  its  communications 
with  the  American  agents,  gave  them  a  public  reception,  and  at  length  entered 
into  a  tre.ity  of  alliance  with  them. 


i66 


THE    PICTOKIAL    HISTORY 


The  British  parliamout  met  on  the  'JOth  of  November,  and  the  usual  achlres 
ses  in  answer  to  the  royal  speech  were  moved,  but  they  were  not  carried  with- 
out opjiosition.  In  the  house  of  lords,  the  celebrated  earl  of  Chatham,  then 
sinking  under  the  infirmities  of  age  aiv.i  disease,  proposed  an  amendment,  by  in- 
troducing a  clause  recommending  to  his  majesty  an  immediate  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities, and  the  commencement  of  a  treaty  of  conciliation,  "  to  restore  peace  and 
liberty  to  America,  strength  and  happiness  to  England,  security  and  permanent 
prosperity  to  both  countries."  In  his  speech  he  animadverted  with  ir.Mch  se- 
verity on  the  employment  of  the  savages  as  auxiliaries  in  'he  war,  although 
their  aid  had  not  been  disdained  under  his  own  administration.  That  singular 
and  successful  man  gave  a  striking  example  of  the  limited  views  and  short- 
sighted policy  even  of  illustrious  statesmen.  He  believed  that  the  prosperity 
of  Britain  depended  on  her  American  colonies,  and  that  the  loss  of  them  would 
be  followed  by  her  ruin.  But,  in  reality,  the  separation  of  those  colonies  Lorn 
the  mother-country,  considered  simply  in  itself,  neither  tarnished  her  glory  nor 
impaired  her  strength.  The  earl  of  Chatham's  amendment,  like  every  other 
proposal  of  concession  and  conciliation,  was  lost ;  and  all  the  measures  of  the 
cabinet  were  carried  by  great  majorities.  But  the  ministry  did  not  long,  in  un- 
mixed triumph,  enjoy  their  parliamentary  victories.  The  news  of  General  Bur- 
goyne's  surrender  arrived,  and  filled  them  with  mortification  and  dismay.  A 
deep  gloom  overspread  the  country :  tlie  formidable  nature  of  the  resistance  in 
America  to  ministerial  measures  was  demonstrated ;  and  the  movements  in  the 
ports  of  France  rendered  the  interference  of  that  country  no  longer  doubtful,  al- 
though her  professions  were  still  pacific. 

'I'he  war  began  to  assume  a  more  portentous  aspect ;  and  the  British  ministry, 
unable  to  execute  their  original  purpose,  lowered  their  tone  and  showed  an  incli- 
nation to  treat  with  the  colonies,  on  any  terms  which  did  not  imply  their  entire 
independence  and  complete  separation  from  the  British  empire.  In  order  to  te.- 
minate  the  quarrel  with  America  before  the  actual  commencement  of  hostilities 
with  France,  Lord  Nonh  introduced  two  bills  into  the  house  of  commons:  the 
first  declared  that  parliament  would  impose  no  tax  or  duty  whatever,  payable 
within  any  of  the  colonies  of  North  America,  except  only  such  duties  as  it  might 
bu  expedient  to  impose  for  the  purposes  of  commerce,  the  net  produce  of  whicu 
should  always  be  paid  and  applied  to  and  for  the  use  of  the  colonies  in  which  the 
same  shall  be  respectively  levied,  in  like  manner  as  other  duties  collected  under 
tne  authority  of  their  respective  legislatures  are  ordinarily  paid  and  applied  ;  thn 
second  authorized  the  appointment  of  commissioners  by  the  crown,  with  power  to 
treat  with  either  the  constituted  authorities  or  with  individuals  in  America  ;  but 
that  no  stipulation  entered  into  should  have  any  effect  till  approved  in  parlia- 
ment. It  empowered  the  commissioners,  however,  to  proclaim  a  cessation  of 
hostilities  in  any  of  the  colonies ;  to  suspend  the  operation  of  the  non-intei 
course  act ;  also  to  suspend,  during  the  continuance  of  the  act,  so  much  of  all  or 
any  of  the  acts  of  parliament  which  have  passed  since  the  10th  day  of  Febru- 
ary, 1763,  as  relates  to  the  colonies  ;  to  grant  par'ons  to  any  number  or  descrip- 
tion of  persons ;  and  to  appoint  a  governor  in  any  colony  in  which  his  majesty 
had  heretofore  exercised  the  power  of  making  such  appointment.  The  dura- 
tion of  the  act  was  limited  to  the  1st  day  of  June,  1779. 

Those  bills  passed  both  houses  of  parliament ;  and  as,  about  the  time  of  th' 
introduction,  ministry  received  infovmation  of  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty  be 
tween  France  and  the  colonies,  they  sent  off  copies  of  them  to  America,  even 
before  they  had  gone  through  the  usual  formalities,  in  order  to  counteract  the  ef- 
t'ecis  which  the  news  of  the  French  alliance  might  produce.  Early  in  March, 
the  earl  of  Carlisle,  George  Johnstone,  and  William  Eden,  Esquires,  were  ap- 
pointed 0  "nminttpners  Utt  carrying  the  acts  into  exttcution;  and  the  celebrated 


H 


•■■*«.  ^'-.---..iveJSftiSir 


OF  'I  MK  AMERICAN  RKVOI^LTION. 


46" 


[  atlilres 
ied  with- 
liiin,  ihen 
lit,  by  in- 
u  of  hos- 
)eace  anJ 
lerinaiienl 
in'ich  se- 
,  altJiough 
it  siiiffular 
anil  short- 
prosperity 
lem  would 
jnies  f;orn 
glory  nor 
very  other 
ires  of  the 
Dug,  in  un- 
■iieral  Bur- 
ismay.     A 
sistance  in 
Jilts  in  the 
loubtful,  al- 

sh  ministry, 
ed  an  iucli- 
their  entire 
order  to  te..- 
»f  hostilities 
nmons :  the 
ver,  payable 
3  as  it  might 
,06  of  which 
in  which  the 
lected  under 
ipplied  ;  tho 
ith  power  to 
America ;  but 
ed  in  parlia- 
cessation  of 
le  non-hitei 
inch  of  all  or 
ay  of  Febru- 
jr  or  descnp- 
1  his  majesty 
The  dura- 
time  of  th' 
he  treaty  be 
V.merica,  even 
iteract  tho  ef- 
ly  in  March, 
res,  were  ap- 
the  celebrated 


Dr.  Adam  Ferguson,  then  jirofessor  of  moral  pliili..5upliy  in  ilie  univcrsily  of  Ed- 
ii.l)iirgh.  was  nominated  tlitir  secretiry.  The  co,.i:i'.isMoners  sailed  without  de- 
lay for  America.  Hut  tiie  present  measure,  like  >'»;';y  otliiT  coiict'ssidii  in  the 
course  of  this  desperate  contest,  came  too  late.  What  was  now  ollrred  would  at 
jnc  time  hav  -  been  hailed  in  America  with  acclamations  of  iov,  and  secured  the 
grateful  alTeclion  of  the  colonists.  But  circumstances  were  now  cliangcd.  The 
minds  of  the  people  were  completely  alienated  from  the  parent  state,  and  theii 
spirits  e.vasperatcd  by  the  events  of  the  war.  Indejiendence  had  been  declared  ; 
victory  had  embli'.zoned  the  standards  of  congress  ;  and  a  treaty  of  alliance  with 
France  had  been  concluiled. 

On  the  16th  of  becember,  the  preliminaries  of  a  treaty  between  France  and 
America  were  agreed  on  ;  anil  the  treaty  itself  was  signed  at  Paris  on  the  6th 
of  February,  1778 — an  event  of  which  the  British  ministry  got  information  in 
little  more  than  forty-eight  hours  after  the  signatures  vvere  afli.xed.  The  prin- 
cipal articles  of  the  treaty  were,  that  if  Britain,  in  consequence  of  the  alliance, 
should  commence  hostilities  against  France,  the  two  countries  should  mutually 
assist  each  other ;  that  the  independence  of  America  should  i)e  eilectually  main- 
tained ;  that  if  any  part  of  North  America,  still  possessing  allegiance  to  the 
crowi;  of  Britain,  should  be  reduced  by  the  colonies,  it  should  belong  to  the  Uni- 
ted States  ;  that  if  France  should  conquer  any  of  the  British  West  India  islands, 
they  should  be  deemed  its  property  ;  that  the  contracting  parties  should  not  lay 
down  their  arms  till  the  independence  of  Ainerica  was  formally  acknowledged ; 
and  that  neither  of  them  should  conclude  a  peace  without  the  consent  of  the 
other. 

Lord  North's  conciliatory  bills  reached  America  before  the  news  of  the  French 
treaty,  and  the  American  legislature  referred  the  bills  to  a  committee  of  their 
number,  which,  after  an  acute  and  severe  examination,  gave  in  a  report  well 
calculated  to  counteract  the  effects  which  it  was  apprehended  the  bills  would 
produce  on  the  minds  of  the  timid  and  wavering.  They  reported  as  their  opin- 
ion, that  it  was  the  aim  of  those  bills  to  create  divisions  in  the  states  ;  and 
'  that  they  were  the  sequel  of  that  insidious  plan,  which,  from  the  days  of  the 
><iamp  act  down  to  the  present  time,  hath  involved  tids  country  in  contention  and 
hlooilshed  ;  and  that,  as  in  other  cases,  so  in  this,  although  circumstances  may 
at  times  force  them  to  recede  from  their  unjustifiable  claims,  there  can  be  no 
iloubt  but  they  will,  as  heretofore,  upon  the  first  favorable  occasion,  again  dis- 
[iliiy  that  lust  of  domination  which  hath  rent  in  twain  the  mighty  empire  of  Brit- 
ain." They  further  reported  it  as  their  opinion,  .hat  any  men,  or  body  of  i-ien, 
who  should  presume  to  make  any  separate  or  partial  convention  or  agreei.ient 
with  commissioners  under  the  crown  ol"  Great  Britain,  should  be  considered  and 
ircatcd  as  open  and  avowed  enemies  of  the  United  States.  The  coinmitt.ee 
Imthei  gave  it  as  their  opinion,  that  the  United  States  could  not  hold  any  con- 
leriMicc  with  the  British  commissioners,  unless  Britain  first  withdrew  her  fleets 
iud  armies,  or  in  positive  and  express  terms  acknowledged  the  independence  of 
iiic  states. 

Wliili:  these  things  were  going  on,  Mr.  Silas  Deane  arrived  from  Paris,  with 
ilic  importatU  and  gratifying  information  that  treaties  of  alliance  and  commerce 
had  been  concluded  between  France  and  the  United  States.  This  intelligence 
(hd'used  a  lively  joy  throughout  America  ;  and  was  received  by  the  people  as  the 
luirbinger  of  their  independence.  The  alliance  had  been  long  expected  ;  and 
I  lie  delays  llirown  in  the  way  of  its  accomplishment  had  excited  many  jiieasy 
iipprehensi'jus.  But  these  were  now  dissipated  ;  and,  to  the  fond  imagination* 
of  the  people,  all  the  prospects  of  the  United  States  appeared  gilded  with  th* 
cheering  beams  of  prosperity. 

On  thp  29th  day  of  the  preceding  October,  John  Hancock,  c  d  of  the  hrst 


*'.im4«,t-- 


v>r.« 


Tin:    I'Ifl-OKlAI.    HlS'roKY 


Fio  119.— Portrait  "f^^ilas  Dcane. 
ascnts  ,n  the  revolutionary  n.ovomei.ts,  after  having  filled  the  V^f'^^^J^l" 
in  congress  lor  nearly  two  years  and  a  half,  requested  leave  of  absence  on  ac- 
co,rSilThealth  He  had  been  chosen  to  suc-ed  I  'eyton  Randolph ;  and  had 
Tcha^Sed  the  duties  of  president  with  great  al.lUy.  Henry  Laurens,  of  South 
coi-olim    was  chosen  to  succeed  hill  in  the  chair. 

The  BrS  army""  Philadelphia  spent  the  winter  in  gay.ty  and  reveliy.  m- 


I 


Fi».  120  — PWlaJelphia  in  l~~»- 


residents  chaii 
absence  on  ac- 
\dolph ;  and  had 
lurens,  of  South 

and  revelry,  in- 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTIOX. 


■Jii<> 


(uriiig  !il  oiiii'  ilioir  own  respectability  and  the  cause  wliicli  ilicy  wire  ciiiployed 
lo  support  'I'liey  disgusted  the  sober  inbabilanis  liy  ilieir  irrf;j;ularitii's,  and 
provuived  tliem  by  tlieir  insolence  ;  so  tliiit  many  who  had  hailed  their  arrival 
wall  cordial  gratulaiions,  leli  a  lively  satisfaction  when  the  hour  of  iheir  depar- 
ture came. 

General  \Vashini»ton  .piitted  White  Marsh,  crossed  the  Schuylkill  at  Sweed's 
Ford,  and,  on  the  I'Jih  of  December,  look  a  stnm;:,'  position  at  Valley  Forge, 
about  twenty-six  miles  from  Fhiladelphia.  Had  he  retired  during  the  winter  to 
the  shelter  of  a  large  town,  lie  must  have  gime  to  a  great  distance  from  the 
British  army,  and  leli  an  extensive  tract  of  country  opi;n  to  their  tbraging  parlies  ; 
or  had  he  cantoned  his  men  in  tlie  adjacent  viljages,  Ins  army  might  have  been 
beaten  in  detail  and  gradually  destroyed.  lint  at  Valley  Forge  he  wa.s  suHi- 
ciently  near  Fhiladeiphia  to  check  the  foraging  parties  of  the  enemy,  and  his 
army  was  so  much  concentrated  as  to  secure  it  from  any  sudden  and  desultory 
attack. 

At  Valli'v  Fuii;f  itie  American  eomin.iiiiler-in-ciiicf  lodged  lus  army  m  huts 
formed  of  lu"s.  s\i;ii.ii'  ,Mirrs!u-i's  fiilcil  .\:;ii   inu  i.  v\linii   c.PiiMiiiuied   very  ae 


Pio.  12!.— ViUageof  Log.Huts. 

ceptable  habitations  to  men  long  unaccustomed  to  the  conveniences  of  life.  Hut, 
though  sheltered  from  the  storm  by  their  rude  dwellings,  tlie  sulferings  of  the 
army  from  want  of  provisions  and  clothing  \v>re  incredible.  The  winter  was 
si'vere.  and  many  of  the  men  w^re  without  stoekiniis  or  slioes.  and  almost  nake<l. 
The  iw Ill-importation  associations  rendered  cloili  scarce  at  the  commencement 
ol  h'istiiiiies  ;  the  war  rendered  importation  dillicult ;  and  the  corsnm|)tion  ex- 
ceeded the  produce  of  the  home  i.ianufacture.  Hence  the  army  was  left  in  a 
destitute  and  depkiraW*-  ctxidition  ;  "id  the  line  of  march,  from  White  Marsii  to 
Valley  Fortre,  over  muph  and  frozen  roads,  might  lia\e  been  traced  by  tlie  blood 
t'roin  the  ivire  and  tftririgled  t'e*-;  of  the  soldiers.  Under  shelter  of  tiie  huts  their 
sutferintis  were  at  tirst  considerably  alleviated  ;  hut  in  .\  short  time  the  miseries 
of  want,  amounting  almost  to  famine,  were  added  to  (hose  of  nakedness. 

Many  representations  on  this  subject  had  been   submitted  lo  congress,  whicb 


•70 


THE  PICTOHIAr.  HISTORV 


hail  aulhoriji'd  thi>  cominaiuler-iii-chief  to  soiz*;  provisions  for  his  army  wherewi 
lie  could  fiiiil  tlii-'in,  within  sevtMiiy  mih's  of  lioailquartcrs.  paying  lor  llieiii  wiih 
money,  or  giving  cerufR'aies  lor  t!ie  redemption  of  which  tlie  faith  of  the  (Inited 
Slates  was  pledgee!.  'I'liis  odious  power  General  VVasIiiiigton  was  extreinclv 
backward  to  exer(;ise  :  hut  at  V^alley  Forge  liis  neoessities  wore  so  pressii.u 
tiial  lie  was  constrained  to  liave  recourse  to  it  ;  and,  notwilhslanding  all  his  pn- 
cantiDiis,  the  manner  in  whiili  hia  orders  were  executed  did  not  always  soften 
tlie  rigor  of  this  harsh  ii'easure. 

The  American  connnander-in-chief  was  ill  provided  with  money,  and  could 
make  his  payments  oidy  in  pajjer  of  very  uncertain  value  ;  but  the  supplies  car- 
rieil  into  I'hiladelpliia  were  readily  |)aid  for  by  the  British  lroo[)s  in  gold  and 
silver.  It  was,  however,  no  easy  matter  for  the  country  people  to  carry  pro- 
visions into  Phdadeljihia  without  detection  and  punishment ;  for  the  American 
detachmiMits  and  patroles,  though  at  a  respectful  distance,  almost  encircled  the 
city,  (ieneral  Armstrong,  v  i'li  thi;  Pennsylvania  militia,  was  at  the  old  camp 
at  White  Mar.sh ;  General  Smillwood  was  detached  to  Wilmington;  Colonel 
Morgan,  whose  rilleinen  hail  Ijeeu  so  active  on  the  Hudson  during  the  precediiii" 
ea:iipaign,  guarded  the  western  bank  of  the  Schuylkill  ;  Count  Pulaski,  a  Polish 
nol)leman  in  the  8er\ice  of  tht  United  States,  who  had  been  appointeii  to  com- 
mand the  cavalry,  was  posted  vvith  a  part  of  his  force  at  Trenton  ;  and  Major 
Jamieson  and  Captain  Lee  were  appointed  vo  watch  both  sides  of  the  Delaware. 

From  the  position  which  General  Washington  had  taken  at  Valley  Forge,  and 
from  the  activity  and  vigilance  of  his  patroles,  the  British  army  in  Philadelphia 
was  straitened  for  forage  and  fresh  provisions.  A  considerable  number  of  the 
people  of  Pennsylvania  were  well  atTected  to  the  British  cause,  and  desirous  of 
supplying  the  troops,  while  many  more  were  willing  to  carry  victuals  to  Phila- 
delphia, where  they  fouml  a  ready  market,  and  payment  in  gold  or  silver , 
whereas  the  army  at  Valley  Forge  could  pay  only  in  paper  money  of  uncertain 
value.  But  it  was  not  easy  to  reach  Philadelphia,  nor  saf  to  attempt  it ;  for 
the  American  parties  often  intercepted  tliem,  took  the  provisions  without  pay- 
ment, and  not  unfreiiuently  added  corporal  chastisement.  The  first  operations 
on  the  part  of  the  British,  therefore,  in  the  campaign  of  1778,  were  undertaken 
ill  order  to  procure  supplies  for  the  army.  About  ilie  middle  of  March,  a  strong 
diiiacliment,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  .Vlawhood,  made  a  foraging  excursion,  for 
six  or  seven  days,  into  Jersey,  surprised  and  defeated  iht  American  parties  at 
Hancock's  and  Quinton's  bridges,  on  Always  creek,  which  falls  into  the  Dela- 
ware to  the  south  of  Heedy  island,  killed  or  took  fifty  nr  sixty  of  the  militia, 
and,  after  a  successful  expedition,  returned  to  Philadelphia  with  little  loss. 

A  corps  of  Pennsylvania  .nilitia,  daily  varying  in  number,  sometimes  not  ex 
ceeding  fifty.  soMietiiiie.*  -iin  )nn  if.  j'  '0  in  sr  le  cral  icy,  had  taken  post 
at  a  place  called  ("rooKed  liiilet.  nbuui  .-evbnl<'en  miles  irom  Philadelphia,  on 
the  road  to  New  Vork,  for  the  purpose  of  intercepting  the  country  people  who 
attempted  to  carry  provisions  to  the  Briti.-sh  army.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the 
4th  of  May,  (Colonel  .\!)r'.<'romIjie  and  Major  Sirncoe,  with  a  strong  detachment, 
attempted  to  surprise  tliis  y.-jiriy  ;  bt!l  Lacy  escaped  with  litt'e  loss,  except  his 
baggage,  wiiich  fell  into  the  h^.iids  s.-f  the  enemy. 

On  the  7th  of  May,  tiie  British  und«!rtook  an  expedition  against  the  galleya 
and  otiier  shipping  which  lud  escaped  up  the  Delaware  after  the  reduction  of 
Mud  Island,  and  destroyed  vipward  of  forty  n'ssels  and  some  stores  and  provis 
ions.  'I  he  undisputed  superiority  of  tiie  British  naval  force,  and  the  conse- 
quent command  of  the  Delaware,  g've  them  groat  facilities  in  directing  a  suita- 
ble armament  against  any  particular  point ;  and  the  movements  of  the  militia,  on 
whom  congress  chiefly  depended  f  )r  repelling  sudden  predatory  incursions  and 
for  guarding  the  roads  to  Philadephia,  were   often   tardy  and  inefficient.     Th* 


^KiSt;." 


iriny  whorevei 
or  ihein  will. 
of  the  Ihiiu'ii 
van  extreMirlv 
e  so  prcs-sii.i! 
iig  :ill  his  prt- 
always  solleu 

ley,  and  couM 
:  supplies  car- 
j   in   gold   am) 
to  carry   pro- 
the  Aint'rican 
encircled  tho 
the  old  ciunp 
iKtoii ;  Colonel 
fthy  preeedini.; 
ihiski,  a  Polish 
jiiiteii  to  com- 
m  ;  and   Major 
the  Delaware, 
[ley  Forge,  and 
n  Philadelphia 
number  of  the 
,nd  desirous  of 
luals  to  Phila- 
jold  or  silver . 
jy  of  uncertain 
attempt  it ;  for 
I   without  pay- 
first  operations 
ere  undertaken 
Vlarch,  a  strong 
g  excursion,  for 
•icau  parties  at 
into  the  Dela- 
of  the   militia, 
little  loss, 
letiines  not  ex 
,  had  taken  post 
Philadelphia,  on 
try  people  who 
■  morning  of  the 
jiig  detachment, 
loss,  except  his 

linst  the  galleys 
he  reduction  of 
ores  and  provis 
and  the  conse- 
lirecting  a  siiita- 
of  the  militia,  on 
,'  incursions  and 
inefficient.     Thf 


i)F    THK  .VMBIllC.VN  REVOMl  PION. 


'27\ 


oads  were  ili-^uarded  ;  and  the  Brili-sh  commonly  accompli  (hod  their  loragiiig 
ind  returned  '.o  camp  before  an  adeijuate  force  could  be  assembled  to  oppose 
.hem. 

To  remedy  these  evils,  to  annoy  the  rear  of  the  British  troops,  in  case  they 
evacuated  Philadelphia,  which  it  was  now  suspected  they  intended  to  do,  and 
also  to  form  an  advanced  guard  of  the  main  army,  the  Maivjuis  de  la  F'ayette, 
with  upward  of  2,000  chosen  men,  and  six  pieces  of  arlillery,  was  ordered  to  the 
east  of  the  Schuylkill,  and  took  post  on  Baron  Hill,  seven  or  eight  miles  in  front 
of  the  army  at  Valley  Forge.  Sir  William  Howe  imine<liately  got  notice  of  hi* 
position,  and  formed  a  plan  to  surprise  and  cut  him  off.  P^or  that  purpose,  a  de 
tachmcnt  of  5,000  of  the  best  troops  of  the  British  army,  under  General  Grant, 
marched  from  Philadelphia  on  the  night  of  tlie  '20th  of  May,  and  took  the  road 
which  runs  along  the  Delaware,  and  consequently  does  not  lead  directly  to 
Baron  Hill,  fiut  after  advancing  a  few  miles,  the  detachment  turned  to  the  left, 
and,  proceeding  by  White  Marsh,  passed  at  no  L;reat  distance  from  La  Fayette's 
left  flank,  and  about  sunrise  reacheil  a  point  i  i  his  rear,  where  two  roads  di- 
verged, one  leading  to  the  camp  of  the  marquis,  the  other  to  .Matson's  ford,  each 
about  a  mile  distant.  There  General  Grant's  detachment  was  first  oi)served  by 
the  .\inericans  ;  and  the  British  perceived  by  the  rapid  movements  of  some  hos- 
tile horsemen,  that  they  were  seen.  Both  La  Fayette's  camp  and  the  road  lead- 
ing from  it  to  Matson's  ford,  were  concealed  from  the  British  troops  by  interve- 
ning wooils  and  high  grounds.  General  Grant  spent  some  time  in  making  dispo- 
sitiona  for  the  intended  attack.  That  interval  was  actively  improved  by  the  mar- 
quis, who,  although  not  apprized  of  the  full  extent  of  his  danger,  acted  with 
promptitude  and  decision.  He  marched  rapidly  to  Matson's  ford,  from  which  he 
was  somewhat  more  distant  than  the  British  detachment,  and  reached  it  while 
General  Grant  was  advancing  against  Baron  Hill,  in  the  belief  that  the  Marquis 
de  la  Fayetti'  was  still  there.  The  Americans  hurried  through  the  ford,  leaving 
their  artillery  behind  ;  but,  on  discovering  that  they  were  not  closely  pursued, 
some  of  them  returned  and  dragged  the  fieldpieces  across  the  river :  a  small 
party  was  also  sent  into  the  woods  to  retard  the  progress  of  the  British  advanced 
guard,  if  it  should  approach  while  the  artillery  was  in  the  ford. 

On  finding  the  camp  at  Baron  Hill  deserted.  General  Grant  immediately 
pursued  in  the  track  of  the  retreating  enemy,  toward  Matson's  ford.  His 
advanced  guard  overtook  some  of  the  small  American  party,  which  had  been 
sent  l)iiek  to  cover  the  passage  of  the  artillery,  before  they  could  recross  the 
river,  and  took  or  killed  a  few  of  them  ;  but  on  reaching  the  ford  General  Grant 
found  the  marquis  so  advantageously  posted  on  the  rising  ground  on  the  oppo- 
site, bank,  and  his  artillery  so  judiciously  placed,  that  it  was  deemed  unadvisa- 
ble  to  attack  him.  Thus  the  attempt  against  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  failed, 
although  the  p'an  was  well-concerted,  and  on  the  very  point  of  success.  In  the 
British  army  sanguine  expectaiions  of  the  favorable  issue  of  the  enterprise  were 
entertained ;  and  in  order  to  insure  a  happy  result,  a  large  detachment  under 
General  Grey,  in  the  course  of  the  night,  took  post  at  a  ford  of  the  Schuylkill, 
two  or  three  iniles  in  front  of  La  Fayette's  right  flank,  to  intercept  him  if  he 
should  attempt  to  escape  in  that  direction,  while  the  main  body  of  the  array  ad- 
vanced to  Chestnut  Hill  to  support  the  attack;  but  on  the  failure  of  the  enter- 
prise the  whole  returned  to  Philadelphia. 

General  Grant's  detachment  was  seen  from  the  camp  at  Valley  Forge  about 
the  time  it  wj^s  discovered  by  the  troops  at  Baron  Hill :  alarm-guns  were  fired 
to  warn  the  marquis  of  his  danger;  and  the  whole  army  was  drawn  out, to  be 
iir.  readiness  to  act  as  circumstances  might  require.  The  escape  of  the  detach 
ment  was  the  cause  of  much  joy  and  congratulation  in  the  American,  and  of  di»- 
\ppointraent  hai  chagrin  in  the  British  army. 


-^lar 


'I'hal  a  siriMiu  I'tav'timciit  of  hostile  tr()i>|)s  shoulil  pass  ut  a  small  distance  from 
I/i  Fayctli's  (III  :k  ainl  >;aiii  liis  rear  umibscrvfd,  would  Sffin  to  arujue  a  want 
of  visiilanc'  on  the  part  of  thai  (iiriccr  ;  hut  ilic  I'mnsylvaina  militia  had  bctin 
postt'(i  lit  little  diijtaiict^  on  his  lel'i,  and  he  reli<'d  on  them  lor  watcluni;  tlin 
roads  ill  that  iiiiarter.  The  militia,  however,  had  quiitod  their  statir)ii,  without 
informin^f  liim  of  their  movt'inent ;  and  fonsetjuently  his  left  (lank,  and  the  roads 
ahoui  VVhit('  Marsh,  remaiiieil  unj^uarded. 

Ahonl  that  time,  Sir  Willi,!  n  Howe  resii^neil  the  command  of  the  army.  So 
far  hack  as  the  month  of  October,  in  the  preceding  year,  ho  had  requested  to  be 
relieved  from  the  painful  service  in  which  he  was  engaged.  On  the  lltli  of 
.\pril,  1778,  he  received  his  majesty's  permission  to  resign  ;  but  at  the  same  time 
he  was  directed,  whiie  hi  continued  in  command,  to  embrace  every  opportunity 
of  piitlin>;  an  end  to  the  war,  l)y  a  due  employment  ol  the  force  undc^r  his  orders. 
In  the  beginning  of  June  he  sailed  for  England,  leaving  the  troops  under  thw 
care  of  Sir  Henry  ('lintoii  as  his  successor. 

About  the  time  when  Sir  William  Howe  resigned  the  command  of  the  nrm- 
IJritish  govermnenl  ordeied  the;  evacuation  of  Philadelphia.     While  tl 
had  an  uudisputed  naval  superiority,  Philadel|)hia  was,  in  some  respects, 
military  station.     Hut  Philadelphi:i   is  100  miles  up  the  Delaware  ;  and 
William  Howe  had  been  unable  to  drive  General  Washington  from  the  liei 
had  found  ^ome  difficulty  in  subsisting  hia  army  in  that  city,  even  when  Uie 
British  ships  had  the  full  command  of  the  sea,  and  could  force  their  way  up  the 
great  rivers  ;  but  when  the  empire  of  the  ocean  was  about  to  be  disputed  by  the 
French,  Philadelphia  became  a  hazardous  post,  on  accimut  of  the  dilFiculty  and 
uncertainty  of  procuring  provisions,  receiving  commuincaticns,  or  sending  aid  to 
such  places  as  might  be  attacked.     It  was  accordingly  resolved  to  abandon  that 
city  ;  ariu  as  circumstances  were  changed,  instead  of  returning  by  sea,  to  march 
the  army  through  the  Jerseys  to  New  York,  where  the  communication  with  the 
ocean  is  more  easy. 

The  preparations  required  for  this  movement  could  not  be  so  secretly  made  as 
to  escape  the  notice  of  the  Americans  ;  and  to  be  ii'  readiness  for  it,  was  one 
reason  of  detachaig  the  Manpiis  de  la  Fayette  to  Bai  m  Hill,  where  he  had  been 
exposed  to  so  much  danger.  General  Washington  called  in  his  detachments,  and 
pressed  the  state  governments  to  hasten  the  march  of  their  new  levies,  in  order 
that  he  might  be  enabled  to  act  offensively  :  but  the  new  levies  arrived  slowly  ; 
and  in  some  instances  the  state  legislatures  were  deliberating  on  the  means  of 
raising  them  at  the  time  when  they  should  have  been  in  the  field. 

Although  General  Washington  was  satisfied  of  the  intention  of  the  British 
commander-in-chief  to  evacuate  Philadelphia,  yet  it  was  uncertain  in  what  way 
he  would  accomplish  his  purpose  ;  but  the  opinion  that  he  intended  to  march 
through  the  Jerseys  to  New  York  gained  ground  in  the  American  camp  ;  and  in 
this  persuasion  General  W^ashington  detached  General  Maxwell  with  the  Jersey 
brigade  across  the  Delaware,  to  co-operate  with  General  Dickinson,  who  was 
assembling  the  Jersey  militia,  in  breaking  down  the  bridges,  felling  trees  across 
the  roads,  and  impeding  and  harassing  the  British  troops  in  their  retreat ;  but 
with  orders  to  be  on  his  guard  against  a  sudden  attack. 

General  Washington  summoned  a  council  of  war  to  deliberate  on  the  measures 
to  be  pursued  in  that  emergency.  It  was  unanimously  resolved  not  to  molest 
the  British  army  in  passing  the  Delaware  ;  but  with  respect  to  subsequent  op- 
erations there  was  much  difTerence  of  opinion  in  the  council.  General  Lee, 
who  had  lately  joined  the  army  after  his  exchange,  was  decidedly  against  risk- 
ing either  a  general  or  partial  engagement.  The  British  army  he  estimated  at 
10,000  men  fit  for  duty,  exclusive  of  officers,  while  the  American  army  did  not 
amount  to  11,000  ;  he  was  therefore  of  opinion  that,  with  such  an  equality  of 


.    ■■i^*J^^K^--ji.^>^ 


K'^f^Hti*,! 


ance  from 
lie  ii  Willi! 
had  l)<'»'.n 
tcliiiii?  llifi 
n,  without 
!  the  romls 

iriuy.  f^o 
isteil  to  be 
he  Itth  of 
same  lime 
ipportunity 
liis  orders. 
J  under  the 

e  armv 
ih. 

Cls, 

and 
he  fiei 
n  when  tlie 
way  up  the 
uted  by  the 
iriculty  and 
nding  aid  to 
bandon  that 
;a,  to  march 
ion  with  the 

lly  made  as 
it,  was  one 
le  had  been 
hments,  and 
ies,  in  order 
ed  slowly  ; 
e  means  of 

the  British 
n  what  way 
ed  to  march 
imp ;  and  in 
h  the  Jersey 
ni,  who  was 
trees  across 
retreat ;  but 

:he  measures 
ot  to  molest 
bsequent  op- 
ieneral  Lee, 
against  risk- 
estimated  at 
army  did  not 
equalitv  of 


OF  THK  AMKRICAN   RKVOF.rTI*   V. 


273 


lore**,  it  would 
sing  Httiiiidt'  ill 


lie  ('riinina!  to  hazard  a  buttle  He  relied  much  "^n  the  impo- 
wliicli  their  late  loreiyn  alliance  placed  tliciii,  ai,  ,.aiii  -.'ned 
'.hat  nothing  but  a  dclViU  of  the  army  could  now  endanger  tli<  '  :'iili  pcnui-nce. 
AiinoNt  all  the  i'orcign  olllcers  ayrecil  in  (i|)iiiiori  witli  General  1  • ;  and  among 
.he  American  ijenerals  only  Wayne  and  ('advvallader  were  deci(l»MlIy  in  favor 
of  attacking  the  enemv.  In  these  circumstances,  Cleiieral  Washington,  although 
strongly  inclined  to  tight,  found  himself  constrained  to  act  with  much  circim- 
■pection. 

Having  made  all  the  requisite  preparations,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  early  in  the 
morning  of  the  18th  nf  June,  led  tin;  IJritish  army  to  thr  conflueiu  e  of  tJie  Del- 
aware and  Schuvlkill,  where  l)oats  and  otlier  vessels  were  readv  o  receive 
them  ,•  and  so  jiidici;)U3  were  the  arrangements  made  by  the  admiral,  that  all  the 
troops,  with  the  baggage  and  artillery,  were  carried  across  the  Delaware,  and 
safely  landed  on  the  Jersey  side  ...  ,  "  river  before  ten  in  the  morning.  Many 
of  the  loyalists  of  Fhiladelpl.ia  ii.:  -nanied  the  army,  carrying  their  elTects 
along  with  them.  The  Ame  .  <m  <.^^^n^l:^^d  the  city  before  the  British  rear-guard 
had  entirely  left  it. 

There  were  two  roads  leading  Irodi  Philadelphia  to  New  York  ;  the  one  run- 
ning along  tlie  western  bank  of  the  Delaware  to  Trenton  ferry,  and  the  other 
along  the  eastern  bank  to  the  same  point.  The  British  army  had  wisely  crossed 
the  river  at  the  point  where  it  was  least  exposed  to  molestation,  and  entered 
on  the  last  of  these  two  roads.  In  marching  through  a  ditHcult  and  hostile 
country,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  prudently  carried  along  with  him  a  considerable 
quantity  of  baggage,  and  a  large  su|)ply  of  provisions  ;  so  that  the  progress  of 
the  army,  tlius  heavily  incumbered,  was  but  slow.  It  proceeded  leisurely 
hrough  Huddersfield,  .\Iount  Holly,  Crosswick,  and  reached  Allentown  on  the 
24th  ;  having  in  seven  days  marched  less  than  forty  miles.  This  slow  progress 
nade  the  Americans  believe  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  wished  to  beattacked.  Gen- 
iral  Miixwell,  who  was  posted  at  Mount  Holly,  retired  on  his  approach  ;  and 
teither  he  nor  General  Dickinson  was  able  to  give  him  much  molestation. 

As  the  march  of  the  British  army,  till  it  passed  Crosswick,  was  up  the  Dela- 
ware, and  only  at  a  small  distance  from  that  river,  General  Washington,  who 
left  Valley  Forge  on  the  day  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  evacuated  Philadelphia, 
found  it  necessary  to  take  a  circuitous  route,  and  pass  the  river  higher  up,  at 
Coryell's  ferry,  where  he  crossed  it  on  the  22d,  and  took  post  at  Hopew«li, 
on  the  high  grounds  in  that  vicinity,  and  remained  during  the  23d  in  that  po- 
sition. 

From  Allentown  there  were  two  roads  to  New  York  ;  one  on  the  left  passing 
througli  South  Amboy  to  the  North  river,  the  other  on  the  right  leading  to  Sandy 
Hook.  The  first  of  these  was  somewhat  shorter,  but  the  river  Raritan  lay  in 
the  way,  and  it  might  be  difficult  and  dangerous  to  pass  it  in  presence  of  the  en- 
emy. Sir  Henry  Clinton,  therefore,  resolved  to  take  the  road  to  Sandy  Hook, 
by  which  the  Raritan  would  be  altogether  avoided. 

Although  a  great  majority  in  the  American  council  of  war  were  averse  from 
fighting,  yet  Geiieral  VVashington  was  strongly  inclined  to  attack  the  British 
'*rmy.  He  summoned  the  council  of  war  a  second  time,  and  again  submitted 
the  subject  to  tlit'ir  consideration ;  but  they  adhered  to  their  former  opinion  ,  and 
General  Washington,  still  inclined  to  attack  the  enemy,  determined  to  act,  to  a 
certain  extent,  on  his  own  responsibility. 

The  Jersey  militia  and  a  brigade  of  continentals,  under  Generals  Dickinson 
and  Maxwell,  hovered  on  the  left  flank  of  the  British  army ;  General  Cadwalla- 
der,  with  a  continental  regiment  and  a  few  militia,  was  in  its  rear,  and  Colonel 
.\Iirgan,  with  his  regiment  600  strong,  was  on  its  right.  These  detachmcntt 
"'«re  ordered  to  harass  the  enemy  as  much  as  poai  ole. 

18 


t7< 


THE    PICTORIAI.    HISTORY 


As  Sir  Henry  Clinton  proceeded  on  the  route  toward  Sandy  Hooit,  General 
Washington  strengthened  his  advanced  guard  till  it  amounted  to  5,000  men. 
General  Leo,  from  his  rank,  had  a  claim  to  the  command  of  that  force  ;  but,  at 
first,  he  declined  it,  and  the  Maniuis  de  la  Fayette  was  appointed  to  tiiat  service. 
Rut  General  Lee,  perceiving  the  importance  of  the  command,  solicited  the  ap- 
pointment which  he  had  at  first  declined,  and  was  accordingly  sent  forward 
with  a  reinforcement,  when,  from  seniority,  the  whole  of  the  advanced  guard 
became  subject  to  his  orders. 

On  the  evening  of  the  27th,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  took  a  strong  position  on  the 
high  grounds  about  Freehold  courthouse,  in  the  county  of  .Monmouth.  His  right 
was  posted  in  a  small  wood  ;  his  left  was  covered  by  a  thick  forest  and  a  mo- 
rass ;  he  had  a  wood  in  front,  also  a  marsh  for  a  considerable  space  toward  his 
left ;  and  he  was  within  twelve  miles  of  the  high  grounds  at  \Iiddletown,  after 
reaching  which  no  attempt  could  bo  made  upon  him  with  any  prospect  of  suc- 
cess. His  position  was  unassailable  ;  but  General  Washington  resolved  to  at- 
tack his  rear  in  the  morning,  as  soon  as  it  descended  from  the  high  grounds  into 
the  plain  beyond  them,  and  gave  orders  accordingly  to  General  Lee,  who  was 
at  English  Town,  three  miles  in  the  rear  of  the  British  army,  and  as  much  in 
advance  of  the  main  body  of  the  .Vmcricans. 

By  the  strong  parties  on  his  flanks  and  rear,  the  British  commander  was  con- 
vinced that  the  hostile  army  was  at  haiwl ;  and,  suspecting  that  an  attempt  on 
his  baggage  was  intended,  on  the  morning  of  the  28th  he  changed  his  order  of 
march,  and  put  all  the  baggage  under  the  care  of  General  Knyphausen,  who 
commanded  the  van  division  of  his  army,  in  order  that  the  rear  division,  consist- 
ing of  the  flower  of  the  troops,  under  Earl  Cornwallis,  might  be  unencumbered, 
and  ready  to  act  as  circumstances  might  recjuire.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  remained 
with  the  rear  division. 

At  daybreak  on  the  morning  of  the  28th  of  June,  General  Knyphausen 
marched  with  the  van  division,  having  in  charge  the  baggage,  which  was  so 
abundant  as  to  extend  in  a  line  nearly  twelve  miles.  The  rear  of  the  army,  that 
it  might  not  press  too  much  on  the  van.  did  not  leave  its  ground  till  near  eight 
in  the  morning.  General  Lee,  who  on  the  preceding  evening  had  received 
orders  to  attack  the  British  rear,  which  oiflers  were  repeated  in  the  morning, 
with  an  assurance  that  the  main  body  of  the  army  would  advance  and  support 
him,  prepared  to  oJjey  his  instructions.  Scarcely  had  the  British  rear-guard  de- 
scended from  the  heights  of  Freehold  into  a  plain  three  miles  long  and  one 
l)road,  when  the  American  van  was  seen  advancing  and  descending  from  the 
heights  which  the  British  had  just  left.  At  the  same  time.  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
perceived  strong  columns  on  his  flanks.  Convinced  that  his  baggage  was  aimed 
at,  he  thought  the  best  method  of  securing  it  was  to  make  a  vigorous  attack  on 
the  division  in  his  rear,  and  to  press  it  so  closely  as  to  render  the  recall  of  the 
columns  on  his  flanks  necessary.  He  accordingly  made  'the  proper  dispositions 
for  attacking  the  enemy ;  while  General  Lee,  who  believed  he  had  to  do  with 
a  rear-guard  only,  and  from  whom  the  movements  of  the  British  were  concealed 
by  intervening  woods,  advanced  over  some  narrow  passes  in  a  morass  into  the 
plain:  but,  instead  of  a  rear-guard,  he  saw  the  flower  of  the  British  army  drawn 
up  to  receive  him.  He  perceived  his  mistake  and  danger,  and  instantly  retreat- 
ed, before  the  British  were  ready  to  attack  him  ;  sensible  that,  if  beaten  on  that 
ground,  his  retreat  across  the  morass  would  be  difficult  or  impracticable,  and  tha: 
he  could  not  be  easily  reinforced,  he  resolved  to  regain  the  rising  ground,  that 
he  might  receive  the  attack  of  the  enemy  in  a  more  favorable  position  While 
he  was  making  this  retrograde  movement,  near  midday,  General  WashingtoTi 
rode  forward,  and,  ignorant  of  the  causes  and  motives  of  the  retreat,  addressed 
General   Lee  in  warm  terms  of  disapprobation.     The  British  armv  advanced 


-:Vrijt;»i'!S^  !!.__-• 


J-5fe-  >'..  3ia  W»«<<(tVl«AW^i.i^/SSi»i!?t#Sii'ia*i»Vs^^^^  . 


3k,  General 
3,000  men 
rce  ;  bvit,  at 
;ljai  service, 
led  the  ap- 
eiit  forward 
inced  guard 

itioii  on  the 
,.  His  right 
t  and  a  mo- 
!  toward  his 
letown,  after 
ipect  of  suc- 
lolved  to  at- 
grounds  into 
ee,  who  was 
as  much  in 

der  was  con- 
[»  attempt  on 
his  order  of 
ihausen,  who 
ision,  consist- 
lencumhered, 
iton  remained 

Knyphausen 
which  was  so 
the  army,  that 
till  near  eight 
had  received 
the  morning, 
B  and  support 
rear-gnard  de- 
I  long  and  one 
ling  from  the 
Henry  Clinton 
age  was  aimed 
■ous  attack  on 
e  recall  of  the 
ler  disposition! 
lad  to  do  with 
vere  concealed 
Tiorass  into  the 
sh  army  drawp 
istantly  retreat- 
beaten  on  that 
ticable,  and  thai 
ng  ground,  that 
)sition       vVhile 
ral  Washingtoi. 
treat,  addressed 
aratv  advanced 


imi> 


HW^c 


SiS'BS^f  ■ 


t>. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


z 

^ 


// 


.</ 


:/. 


„v 


,V4 


I/. 


& 


>■ 


IIS 


|2j8     |25 
2 


1.0 

2.2 

I.I     f."^  1^ 

1.25  il.4  11.6 


p 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)a7r4503 


Lfi 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfsche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


mm-. 


1 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


275 


rapidly  upon  them,  and  Washington  ordered  Lee  to  arrest  their  progress  wnile 
he  bnnight  up  the  main  body  of  tlie  army  to  his  assistance. 

General  I^ee,  who  had  reached  the  ground  where  he  intended  tn  fight,  execu- 
cd  his  orders  with  characteristic  courage  and  skill.  .\  sharp  contlict  ^nsuod  : 
ihe  Americans  were  compelled  to  retreat,  which  they  did  in  good  order.  The 
Biitish  advanced  and  attacked  the  second  line  of  the  Americans,  which  was 
strongly  posted,  and  made  a  vigorous  resistance.  After  some  severe  fighting, 
and  several  movements  on  each  side.  General  Washington  having  brought  for- 
ward the  main  body  of  the  American  .irmy  and  occupied  advantageous  ground. 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  withdrew  his  troops  and  took  a  good  position  near  the  place 
where  the  battle  began,  at  which  he  remained  till  ten  at  night,  when  he  resumed 
his  march,  carrying  along  with  him  his  wounded,  except  such  as  could  not  be 
moved. 

In  this  indecisive  encounter,  the  Americans  gained  a  victory.  The  event  was 
celebrated  with  rejoicings  throughout  the  United  States,  and  congress  returned 
thanks  to  General  Washington  and  his  army.  But  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  after- 
ward allowed  to  pursue  his  march  without  interruption.  About  the  time  of  the 
battle  some  attempts  were  made  on  the  baggage,  but  they  were  easily  repelled 
and  all  tin;  .\inerican  advanced  parties  were  recalled. 

In  the  tattle  of  Freehold  Court  House,  the  loss  of  both  armies  was  nearly 
equal,  amounting  to  about  400  men  on  each  side.  The  British  lost  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  .Monckton,  who  was  much  lamented.  The  American  army  particularly 
regretted  the  death  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bonner  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Major 
Dickinson  of  Virginia.  The  day  was  exceedingly  warm  ;  and  the  heat  and  fa- 
tigue proved  fatal  to  several  soldiers  in  each  army,  who  expired  without  a  wound. 

General  lice,  conceiving  himself  to  have  been  insulted  by  General  Washing 
ton  on  the  fit^ld  of  battle,  in  the  evening  addressed  to  him  a  letter,  expressed  i. 
no  very  res])ectful  terms.     He  was,  therefore,  put  under   arrest,  and  tried  by  a 
court-martial  for  disobedience  of  orders,  and  disrespect  to  his  commander-in-chief. 
He  was  found  guilty,  and  suspended  for  a  year. 

The  sentence  of  the  court-martial  against  General  Lee  closed  the  military 
career  of  that  singular  man,  who,  in  the  early  part  of  the  war,  had  been  of  much 
service  to  the  Americans.  He  was  bred  to  arms,  had  been  a  lieutenant-colonel 
in  the  British  service,  a  colonel  in  the  Portuguese  army,  and  an  aid-de-camp  to 
the  king  of  Poland,  with  the  rank  of  major-general.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the 
American  war  he  had  resigned  his  commission  in  the  British  army,  and  offered 
his  services  to  congress,  who  appointed  him  third  in  command  of  their  forces. 
He  had  studied  all  the  most  valuable  treatises  on  the  art  of  war,  both  ancient  and 
modern  ;  and  on  military  subjects  his  judgment  was  commonly  correct.  In  the 
presence  of  the  enemy  he  was  cool  and  intreuid  :  and,  notwithstanding  many 
faults  and  whimsical  peculiarities  in  his  chara^  ter,  he  wa'j  beloved  both  by  the 
officers  and  men  who  served  under  him.  His  understanding  was  vigorous,  his 
memory  retentive,  and  his  imagiimtion  lively.  He  was  a  classical  scholar,  and 
possessed  a  considerable  portion  of  general  knowledge.  His  temper  was  sour 
and  severe  ;  he  scarcely  ever  laughed,  and  seldom  smiled.  He  was  impious 
and  rude  ;  a  vindictive  enemy,  but  a  steady  friend  ;  extremely  avaricious,  but  an 
entire  stranger  to  deceit  and  dissimulation.  He  was  at  times  a  pleasant  ind  in- 
structive companion,  but  often  capricious  and  disagreeable. 

When  the  American  army  was  encamped  at  White  Plains,  General  Lee 
lodged  it  a  small  house  near  which  General  Washington  occasionally  passed 
when  observing  the  dispositions  of  the  enemy  :  one  day,  accompanied  by  some 
of  his  officers,  .he  called  on  General  Lee  and  dined  with  him ;  but  no  sooner 
»ery  they  gone  than  Lee,  addressing  his  aid-de-camp,  said:  "You  must  look 
me  out  another  p/i?*  ;  for  I  shall  have  Washington  and  all  his  puppies  contii)- 


^-Q  THE  PlCTOklAL  hlSTORY 

u:.llv  callinii  up..n  mo.  ..ul  thrv  will  cat  n...  up."  Next  .lay  seeing  the  com 
ma  Mlor-in-.  hid- an.lhis  suit  con.ins  that  way,  ami  suspecting  auothcr  visit  he 
r  .  1  lis  servant  ,o  write  on  the  .loor  with  chalk,  "  No  victuals  dressed  hero 
X  '•  Perceivin.  this  inscription,  General  Washint'.on  and  his  oflicers  rode 
off,  .u,t  a  little  anu-s^d  at  ,he  incident,  and  the  oddities  of  Lee's  character.  Lee 
1  la  strong  attach.nent  to  do.s,  and  some  of  these  ammals  always  accomi«ued 
him.  On  heinjr  informed  that  congr.  ss  had  confinned  the  sentenco  of  tl  e  cou  - 
martial  against  him,  pointing  to  a  dog,  he  exclaimed,  »  O  tha  1  were  tlntt  am 
mal.that  1  might  not  call  n,an  my  brother!"  This  singular  person  died  m 
Phiiadelnhia   in  the  beginning  of  October,  1782.  •        ,    •. 

AH  Ih"  battle  of  Freehold  Curt  House  the  British  army  contim.cd  it, 
march  without  imerrnption  to  Sandy  Hook,  where  it  embarked  on  the  5th  of 
Julv,  and  on  the  same  dav  lamped  at  New  \  ork. 

General  Washington  marched  to  the  North  river,  and  took  a  position  near  hi« 

"'V/rafe^nh^/iulylrdav  on  which  the  British  army  arrived  at  New  York, 
the  Count  d'Estaing,  with  a  French  fleet,  appeared  on  the  coast  of  Virginia. 

In  the  month  of  March,  the  French  ambassador  in  Lond.m,  by  order  of  his 
go  ernmem  ..otified  to  the  British  court  the  treaties  entered  into  between 
Fr-mce  and  America.  In  a  few  days  afterward  he  quitted  London,  and,  about 
th  same  time  the  British  ambassador  left  Paris.  This  was  considered  equiva- 
lent  to  a  declaration  of  war  ;  and  although  war  was  not  actually  declared,  yet 
both  parties  diligently  prepared  lor  hostilities. 

The  French  equipped  at  Toulon   a   tteet  of  twelve  sail  of  the   line   and   s  X 
frigates   and  gave  the  command   to  Count  d'Estaing,  who,  with  a  considerable 
^er'^tro^ps  on  board,  ..led  on  the  13.h  of  April ;  b"!- --3/-^^^ -" 
trarv  winds,  be  did  not  reach  the  coast  of  America  till  the  5th  ot  July.     He  e 

ec  ed   o  fiml  the  British  armv  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  fleet  in  the  Delaware  . 

nit  hasten  supposed  that'if  this  expectation  had  been  -,f  ^-d'^he  conse. 
quences  to  Britain'must  have  been  calamitous.  But  it  ,s  needless  to  speculate 
In  what  might  have  ensued  in  circumstances  which  never  existed  For  the 
Brillsh  fl™t' and  ariny  were  at  Sandy  Hook  or   New  York  before  the   trench 

"i;.^;::^  ^'t;^^:;:::;ure  of  the  British  .om  Pennsylvan^,  Ad^l  djEstaing 

instantly  sailed  to  the  northward,  and,  on  the  evening  of  the  llth  of  Jul),  came 

o  anchor  ofl"  New  York.     Admiral  Lord  How      -hose  fleet  amoumed  only  tc 

six  ships  of  the  line,  four  of  fifty  guns  each,  .  ne  frigates  and  «mal  er  ves- 

sels,  had  been  informed  of  D'Estaing's  arrival  ,e  coast  some  d^ys  be  ore  he 

anneared  in  sight,  and  had  made  a  judicious  disposition  of  his  iorce  for  the  de 

feTeoftheharb;r.     For  some  time  after  DEstaing  came  in  sight  the   wind 

w      unfavoraS  to  an  attempt  on  't.  British  fleet ;  however,  on  the  22d  of    u  y 

it  veered  to  the  eastward,  the  French  squadron  got  under  way  and    he  British 

expected  to  be  immediately  attacked.     But,  instead  of  proceeding  toward    he 

Kor.  D'Estaing  stood  ou(.o  sea,  and  sailed  as  far  ««"^h  ^  .^J^^^j^^^fi^Jd^ 

Delaware   where  he  alterei'  his  course  and  steered  directly  for  Rhode  Island, 

off  which  hranneared  on  the  29th  of  the  month.     There  he  meditated  an  attack, 

hfwtch  General  Sulliva,,,  with  a  detachment  from  General  Washington's  army. 

and  reinforcements  from  New  England  was  to  co-operate  ,,  ,„^,:„„  „f 

The  Americans  had  been  preparing  for  some  time  to  -"^"'P^ j^^^^J^^^'^^^J^^ 

Rhode  Island  ;  and  Sidlivan  had  been  appointed  to  superintend  and  hasten  the 

oreDaraions      His  measures  did  not  escape  the  notice  of  Major-Genera    Su 

LbeTpigot.  commander  of  the  island,  who  in  order  to  impede  his  opera  ions 

had  ordered   wo  different  incursions  into  Providence  Plantation  one  conducteJ 

by  CotielcTmpbell.and  another  under  Major  Eyre,  in  which  a  quantity  oJ 


i 


tho  com 
visit,  he 
ised  hero 
cers  rodo 
er.  Lee 
nmpjinied 
the  court- 
that  ani 
t  died  in 

tinned  its 
le   5th  of 

I  near  his 

cw  York, 
■ginia. 
ler  of  his 
I  between 
md,  about 
ed  equiva- 
ilared,  yet 

3  and  six 
nsiderable 
with  con 
.  Hee 
Delaware  , 
the  conse- 
speculate 
For  the 
le  French 

1  d'Estaing 
July,  came 
ed  only  tc 
mailer  ves- 
3  before  he 
for  the  de- 
,  the  wind 
22d  of  July 
the  British 
toward  the 
>nes  of  the 
oile  Island, 
d  an  attack, 
[ton's  army, 

eduction  of 
,  hasten  the 
leneral   Sir 

operations, 
9  conducted 

quantity  o\ 


i 


OF    rilK   AMKUICAN   IJKVoMTION. 


277 


T 


lllK   I'U-roKIAI,  HISTORY 


<>~8 

™|l.»rv  „.„!  n.val  *,„■..  .on.  s»n..y,  :y».  .n,-!  *;|.»„ 'ScTriw  'Z 

"'l™"-  ^  '  ":i:, '" ;  ;  ,:;;''™;™    ,.  he  ^ow     r  bv  .ho  e,,«  or  S.,.- 

koi.rt  |».»»B»  :  »o..ih,.r  ,y  >h.  »"•'"';      ,  „,;„  „,■  ,;„„„a„icn.,  c»lle,l  the 

e„tr„nce,  hy  »-.-»«;-«  >f,,"r™  h.to  hi,U„l,. 

th<!  appearance  of  Count  d  bstamg,  lo  pre.  Spakonel  and  Narragaiiset 

:f;;;TSo1er   0?S:;;rSiow"°ea\^:ran'Sr«i  we.   .»,„  o„t  or 
"t,d  Sot  .'„t2l.  d'E^ahtg  .pen.  two  days  in  P"---J -'j;'''^'^^ » 

SieJ-ia:'  'SX:  «ed".o' N.'7vor:.nd  D-Ef..,ng  »"New^n, 

^^L°*Er„V"o'rdLorf  How,  fro™  Rhod.  ■>";. f  5"'' .t'TJ'; 
.mZung  .0  .cool  men,  chi.«y  ""'■tiSSeruX r  t„  *  ,h"  Fren  h"; 


i 


,,^'  ■^;^;_--V|re-:;W 


i-'^'l!*?:*>i:i;^*i-'' 


irilof  100 
[anli'd  the 
riircd,  the 

s,  lies  oir 
I  smtiU  isl- 
,-est  of  the 
Island  iind 
ist  or  Sea- 
loiiiiiinicul, 
called  the 
niit  1  at  the 

neii.  The 
uanicut  isl- 
r  the  three 
jstroyed  on 
his  hands. 
4arraganset 
jg  with  his 
iigust.  The 
ird  the  har- 
jd,  and  an- 

lation  of  the 
vas  theu 
y,  lour  •  ' 
essels,  aii<5. 
lode  Islai.d, 
ig,  anchored 
d  which  the 
it  shifted  to 
toward  the 
,  he  had  the 
I  battle,  am' 
soon  out  of 

ch  other,  ex 
r  to  gain  the 

come  to  ac- 
,nd  consider- 

each  other, 
13  gained  on 

to  Newport, 

livan's  army, 
field  :  it  was 
le  French,  in 
lovered  some 
But,  as  the 
)verruled,  and 

!W  his  troopa 
in  the  vicin 


280 


THK   I'ICTOHIAL  IIISTOUY 


ilV  of  Mowpon,  wlw-re  he  occupie.l  an  fntrencl.e.l  camp.     '""^'^•V"^''' ZV 


army 
pos 

•      •  '      iwiwitil.wnmi)  at  that  place. 

army 

am 

.r,.,l  the  ileets       It  hlew  down,  and  ahno«t   irreparably  injured   the   tents,  ren 
d'     1   th     .   ^arnls  unlit  lor  immediate  use,  and  damaged  the  -njmm.t.on  o 

ter,  ..r  Inu   a  super,..    »"'    '   ;,^^\57J7J°h'',einforceme..ts  fr..n.  England,  con- 
fe;ul;t^s^l/i'hC;^'c"SlI.ed  tn  mstustrucion.;  and  there..re 

he  resolved  '"  P™-'.';^  \;f  •^;,7i„  ,„eh  cntieal  cireumstances,  and  not  only  de- 
'  \^'  r  ;;' "       il  .  a  success  which  they  thought  within  their  reach,  hut  ex- 


CHAPTRR  IX. 

The  deiv.rture  of  the  French  fleet  greatly  discouraged  the^ American  army, 
and  ma  IVvTys  Sullivan's  force  was'considerably  diminished  by  desertion^ 
?te'26thoAu.rust  he  therefore  resolved  to  raise  the  siege,  and  retreat  to 
Z  trth  end  of  the  .sland  ;  and  took  the  nece««ary  precautions  for  the  success- 

'^Xn^hroltV^slhTneral  SuUivar.  silently  decamped,  and  retired  unob- 
ser  ed      Etrlv  in  the  mon.ing  the  British  discovered  his  retreat,  and  instan^^ 

"iKy  reac^hedTh^Tioreila'r        island,  where  the  army  occupied  a  stron. 


■  S;^v:.;:,;-,t'rt-f^?M>'^  ii^.>gj^a"'''-'<ty-^ 


luTiciin  army 
11(1,  took  pos 
iiiircheil  tow 

7vie,  his  army 
sed  and  dam 
le   tcnls,  roil 
nmiiniiioii,  of 
Idiers,  having 
storm,  winch 
rd  the  British 
le  situation  of 
rt  could  easily 
red  off  the  isl- 
ration  ;  for  he 
jrs,  and  agree- 
■bor  of  Boston, 
ith  any  disas- 
ondition  of  his 
England,  con- 
and  therefore 

id  not  only  de- 
reach,  but  ex- 
,  and  alarm,  in 
A  Greene  were 
ict.  and  to  press 
e  they  flattered 
But  the  count 
IS  a  naval  com- 
n  to  the  navy. 
i\d  envious  eye, 
safety  to  thom- 
reene,  he  agam 
of  the  letter  of 
iner  resolution. 


American  armVi 

d  by  desertion. 

re,  and  retreat  to 

for  the  success- 

ind  retired  unob- 
sat,  and  instantly 
vho  covered  the 
g  and  retreating 
)ccupied  a  stronp 


OF  THK   .^MKKICAN   REVOL^■i'l()^ 


ii?^:' 


Fio.  J24. — Cii.iii  ...  ii.i'  ilarlMir  ot  .Newport. 


tn'i 


THK  PICTOUIAI,  niSTOUY 


position,  at  a  place  \vhrr«'  tlic  Hriiisli  formerly  had  a  fortified  post,  th'j  works 
ol'  wiiith  hail  liceii  strenglliened  during  llie  two  prec('(liiij>  days.  'I'hrre  a  se- 
vere coiitlict,  for  about  half  an  hour,  ensiieil,  when  the  combatants  inu'.ually 
wilhdri.'w  from  the  field.  Tlit^  loss  of  the  armies  was  nearly  eipial,  amounting 
to  between  two  and  three  hundred  killed  or  wounded  in  the  course  of  the  day. 

On  the  30th  of  August  there  was  a  yood  deal  of  cannonading,  but  neither  party 
ventured  to  attack  tiie  other.  The  Uritish  were  expecting  reinforcenieiits  ;  anJ 
ISiillivan,  although  he  made  a  show  of  resolutely  maintaining  his  post,  was  busily 
preparing  for  the  evacuation  oftl:;^  island.  In  the  evening  lie  silently  struck  his 
tents,  embarked  his  army,  with  all  the  artillery,  baggage,  and  stores,  on  board  a 
great  numlx'r  of  boats,  and  landed  safely  on  the  continent,  beforo  the  British 
suspected  his  intention  to  abandon  the  post.  General  .Sullivan  made  a  timely 
escaj)e  ;  for  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  on  his  way,  with  4,000  men,  to  the  assis- 
tance of  General  Figot.  He  was  detained  four  days  in  the  sound  by  imitrary 
winds ;  but  arrived  on  the  day  after  the  Americans  left  the  island.  A  very 
short  delay  might  have  proved  fatal  to  their  army. 

The  most  sanguine  expectations  had  been  entertained  throughout  th6  United 
States  of  the  reduction  of  Rhode  Island  and  the  capture  of  the  British  force 
which  defended  it;  so  that  the  disappointment  and  mortification  on  the  failure  of 
the  enterprise  were  exceedingly  bitter.  The  irritation  against  the  French,  who 
were  considered  the  authors  of  the  miscarriage,  was  violent.  Sullivan  was  con- 
fident of  success  ;  and  his  chagrin  at  the  departure  of  the  French  fleet  made  him 
use  some  expressions,  in  a  general  order,  which  gave  offence  to  D'Estaing. 
The  American  leaders  felt  the  importance  of  preserving  the  good  will  of  their 
allies.  Hence  Sullivan  explained ;  and  Washington  and  congress  employed  all 
their  influence  to  sooth  the  angry  feelings  of  the  French  admiral,  and  to  pre- 
vent that  disunion  and  distrust  which  threatened  to  alienate  the  Americans  and 
their  new  allies  from  each  other.  These  efforts  to  heal  the  growing  breach 
were  successful ;  although  the  ill  huMor  of  the  populace  manifested  itself  in 
quarrelling  with  the  French  sailors  both  at  Fioston  and  Charleston  in  South 
Carolina. 

The  British  fleet  had  suffered  considerably  in  the  storm,  but  had  not  sustained 
so  much  damage  as  the  French.  In  a  short  time.  Lord  Howe  was  again  ready 
for  sea  ;  and,  having  learned  that  D'Estaing  had  sailed  for  Boston,  he  left  New 
York  with  the  intention  of  reaching  that  place  before  him,  or  of  attacking  him 
there,  if  he  found  it  could  be  done  with  advantage.  But  on  entering  the  bay  of 
Boston,  he  perceived  the  French  fleet  in  Nantucket  Roads,  so  judiciously  sta- 
ioned,  and  so  well  protected  by  batteries,  that  there  was  no  prospect  of  attack- 
.ag  it  with  success.  He  therefore  returned  to  New  York,  where,  finding  that, 
:y  fresh  arrivals,  his  fleet  was  decidedly  superior  to  that  of  the  French,  he 
I.  vailed  himself  of  the  permission  which  he  had  received  some  time  before,  and 
lesigned  the  command  to  Admiral  Gambier,  who  was  to  continue  in  the  com- 
mand till  the  arrival  of  Admiral  Byron,  who  was  daily  expected  from  Halifax. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  finding  that  General  Sullivan  had  effected  his  retreat  from 
Rhode  Island,  set  out  on  his  return  to  New  York ;  but,  that  the  expedition  might 
uotbe  wholly  ineffectual,  he  meditated  an  attack  on  New  London,  situated  on  a 
liver  which  falls  into  the  sound.  7.'he  wind,  however,  being  unfavorable  to  the 
enterprise,  he  gave  the  command  of  the  troops  on  board  the  transports  to  Gener- 
al Grey,  with  orders  to  proceed  in  an  expedition  against  Buzzard's  bay,  and 
continued  his  voyage  to  New  York.  In  obedience  to  the  orders  which  he 
had  received.  General  Grey  sailed  to  Acushnet  river,  where  he  landed  on 
the  5ih  of  September,  and  destroyed  all  the  shipping  in  the  river,  amounting  tu 
more  than  seventy  sail.  He  burned  a  great  part  of  the  towns  of  Bedford  and 
Fairhaven,  the  one  on  the  west  and  the  other  on  the  east  bank,  destroying  a 


OF  riiK  AMKK1v:a.\  rhvofaition. 


383 


it,  ih'j  works 
Tlicrc  a  se- 
itii  mu'aiiilly 
],  ainoiiiitidg 
)f  tlie  (lay. 
neither  party 
jiiu'iits  ;  and 
)t,  was  busily 
lly  struck  his 
\,  on  board  a 

the  British 
ide  a  timely 
to  the  assis- 

by  timirary 
nd.     A  very 

It  the  United 

British  force 

the  failure  of 

French,  who 

ivan  was  con- 

eet  made  him 

to  D'Estaing. 

will  of  their 

employed  all 

,  and  to  pre- 

mericans  and 

)wing  breach 

jsted  itself  in 

itoii  in  South 

[  not  sustained 
IS  again  ready 
1,  he  left  New 
attacking  him 
ing  the  bay  of 
idiciously  sia- 
pect  of  attack- 
',,  finding  that, 
tie  French,  he 
me  before,  anil 
!  in  the  com- 
om  Halifax, 
is  retreat  from 
ipedition  might 
1,  situated  on  a 
ivorable  to  the 
ports  to  Gener- 
lard's  bay,  and 
lers  which  he 
he  landed  on 
-,  amounting  tu 
if  Bedford  and 
k,  destroying  a 


lonsiderable  quantity  of  niilitary  and  iiav.il  stores,  provisions,  and  merchandise. 
He  laniled  at  six  ill  tlic  evening;  and  so  iiij)id  were  ins  iiuiveinenis,  that  the 
work  ofdestruelioii  was  accoinplislied,  and  the  troops  reimbarked  before  noon 
th.'  ne.\t  day.  He  then  proceeded  to  .Martha's  Vineyard,  where  he  look  or 
burned  several  vessels,  destroyed  a  salt  work,  compelled  ilie  inhai)itants  to  sur- 
render their  arms,  and  levied  from  them  a  contribution  of  1,000  sheep  and  300 
oxen,  with  which  seasonable  supply  of  provisions  he  returned  to  New  York. 

The  return  of  the  ikilish  lleet  and  of  the  troops  under  (Jenerul  Grey  relieved 
the  Americans  from  the  anxious  ap|>relieiisions  of  an  attack  on  their  allies  at 
boston.  I'nder  that  api)reiiension  (Jeneral  Washington  broke  up  his  camp  at 
White  Plains,  and,  proeeedinjj  northwani,  took  a  |iosition  at  Fredericksburg. 
He  detached  Generals  (Jates  and  McHougall  to  Danln.ry  in  Connecticut,  in  order 
'l:at  they^might  be  in  readiness  to  move  as  circumstances  might  reijuire  ;  and 
ne  sent  General  Putnam  to  West  Point,  to  watch  the  North  river,  and  the  im- 
portant passes  in  the  highlands.  Hut  the  return  of  the  fleet  and  troops  to  New 
\  ork  quieted  those  apprehensions. 

.Meanwhile  the  Americans  perceived  that  an  expedition  was  preparing  at 
Niw  York,  the  object  of  which  they  were  unable  to  ascertain  ;  but  soon  after 
the  return  of  the  troops  under  (Jeneral  Grey,  the  British  army  advanced  in  great 
force  on  both  sides  of  the  xNorth  river.  The  column  on  the  west  imnk,  consist- 
ing of  5,000  men,  commanded  by  Lord  Cornwallis,  e.vtended  from  the  Hudson 
to  the  Hackensack  The  division  on  the  east  side,  consisting  of  about  3,000 
nien,  under  General  Knyphausen,  stretched  from  the  North  river  to  the  Bronx, 
i'iic  coiuinunication  between  them  was  kept  up  by  flat-bottomed  boats,  by  means 
of  which  the  two  divisions  could  have  been  readily  united,  if  the  Americans  had 
advanced  against  either  of  them.  General  Washington  sent  outstveral  detach- 
ments to  observe  the  movements  of  those  columns.  Colonel  Baylor,  who  with 
his  regiment  of  cavalry,  consisting  of  upward  of  a  hundred  men,  had  been  sta- 
tioned near  Paramus,  crossed  the  Hackensack  on  the  morning  of  the  27th  of 
September,  and  occupied  Tappon  or  Herringtown,  a  small  village  near  New 
Tappon,  where  some  militia  were  posted.  Of  these  circumstances  Lord  Corn- 
wallis received  immediate  notice,  and  he  formed  a  plan  to  surprise  and  cut  ofT 
both  the  cavalry  and  militia.  The  execution  of  the  enterprise  against  Baylor 
was  intrusted  to  General  Grey ;  and  Colonel  Campbell,  with  a  detachment  froni 
Knyphausen's  division,  was  to  cross  the  river,  and  attack  the  militia  at  New 
I  appon.  Colonel  Campbell's  part  of  the  plan  failed,  by  some  delay  in  the  pas 
sage  of  the  river ;  during  which  a  deserter  informed  the  militia  of  their  danger 
and  they  saved  themselves  by  flight.  But  General  Grey  completely  surprised 
Baylor's  troops,  and  killed,  wounded,  or  took  the  greater  part  of  them.  Colonel 
Baylor  was  wounded  and  made  prisoner.  The  slaughter  on  that  occasion,  which 
tile  .Vmericans  thought  unnecessarily  great,  excited  much  indignation,  and  was 
die  subject  of  loud  complaints  throughout  the  United  States. 

Tliree  days  afvt  ■  '.he  surprise  of  Baylor,  the  American  Colonel  Butler,  with  a 
detachment  of  infantry,  assisted  by  Major  Lee  with  part  of  his  cavalry,  fell  in 
with  a  party  of  fifteen  chasseurs  and  about  100  yagers,  under  Captain  Donop,  on 
wlioin  they  made  such  a  rapid  charge,  that,  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  they  kill- 
ed ten  on  the  spot,  and  took  about  twenty  prisoners.  This  advantage  was  very 
soothing  to  the  embittered  feelings  of  the  Americans,  who  considered  it  some 
compensatior  for  Baylor's  loss. 

rhe  movement  of  the  British  army  up  the  North  river  already  mentioned,  wa» 
iiiade  for  the  purpose  of  foraging,  and  also  to  cover  a  meditated  attack  on  Little 
tlgg  Harbor ;  and  having  accomplished  its  object,  it  returned  to  New  York. 
Little  Egg  Harbor,  situated  on  the  coast  of  Jersey,  was  a  noted  rendezvous  of 
privateers;  and  being  so  near  the  entrance  to  New  York,  ships  bound  to  thai 


•ts\ 


I  111-,    IMCTOKlAr,    Illsroi^Y 


port  wero  miirli  oxposnl  to  tlicir  ilcprt'dations.  An  »'xp«'c!iiioii  agair.^t  it  was 
'liiTefore  pIrniiH'il,  iiiid  till- coniliict  ot'  ilif  ciilirprisi"  inirusicd  to  Cuptain  Vvr- 
HiiMori  ot'  tin-  N»'vt)iili't'iiili  rctijmt'iit,  with  ahoii!  !U)0  nii'ii.  assistcil  hy  Captain 
(Jolliiis  of  the  navy.  11  ■  sailt'd  I'roiii  New  York  ;  l)iit,  short  as  ilii>  passa<;i'  was, 
he  was  (Iriaiiiril  Hcvcral  d.iVH  liy  I'oiitrary  winds,  and  (hil  not  arrive  at  the  plaet* 
of  his  destination  till  ilie  evciiini,'  of  the  olli  of  Octolier.  'I'he  Americans  had 
^ot  notice  of  Ills  ili>>ii;n,  and  liait  sent  to  sea  sncli  of  tlieir  privateers  as  tveru 
r'^'idy  lor  sailinu  'I'hey  had  also  hanled  the  largest  of  the  reiiiaiiiini;  vessels, 
wliicli  «ere  chielly  prizes,  twenty  miles  up  the  river  to  Ohestniil  N'eck,  and  had 
carried  their  smaller  vessels  siiij  I'arther  into  the  country.  Ker>jii9on  proceeded 
to  Chestnut  Neck,  hnrntMl  ihe  vess(ds  there,  ilestroved  ihe  slor»diousps  and  piil)- 
he  works  of  every  sort  ,  and,  in  returnini;,  committeil  .some  depredations  on  pri- 
vate property. 

(/oiinl  Pulaski,  a  I'olish  nobleman  in  the  ser\  ice  of  the  United  States,  had  been 
nominated  commander  ot  tlie  American  cavalry  ;  but,  as  that  ap|K)intment  j^ave 
ollence  to  the  otiicers,  he  rt'si<;ned  his  commission.  Congress,  however,  permitted 
him  to  raise  a  Icijiunary  corjjs.consistinjj  of  three  incomplete  companies  of  infantry 
and  three  troops  of  cavalry,  which  he  ollicered  chielly  with  foreianers,  and  com- 
manded the  whole  in  person.  He  was  ordered  toward  Little  Egg  harbor,  and 
lay,  without  due  vigilance,  eight  or  ten  miles  from  the  coast.  One  Juliet,  a 
frenchman,  who  had  deserted  from  the  British  service  and  obtained  a  commis- 
sion in  Pulaski's  cor|)s,  redeserled,  joined  Captain  Ferguson  of  Little  Egg  har- 
bor, after  his  return  trom  Chestnut  Neck,  and  gave  him  exact  informatiun  of  the 
strength  and  sitiiaiion  of  Pulaski's  troops.  Ferguson  and  Collins  immediately 
resolved  to  .surjirise  the  Polish  nubleman  ;  and  for  that  purpose,  on'  the  tifteenth 
of  October,  they  embarked  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  in  boats,  rowed  ten  milei 
up  the  river  beibre  daybreak,  landed  within  a  small  distance  of  his  infantry,  left 
fifty  men  lo  guard  their  boats,  and  with  the  remainder  of  their  force  suddenly 
fell  on  the  unsuspicious  detachinent,  killed  about  fifty  of  them,  among  whotn 
were  the  Maron  de  Hose  and  Lieutenant  de  la  Horderie,  and  retreated,  with 
scarcely  any  loss,  before  ihey  could  be  attacked  by  Pulaski's  cavalry. 

In  this  instance  they  greatly  injured  or  ruined  many  individuals  among  the 
Americans  ;  but  they  wert^  useless  in  respect  of  the  great  object  of  the  war — 
the  subjugation  of  the  country. 

Admiral  IJyron,  with  a  consiilerable  number  of  ships,  sailed  from  England  on 
he  ninth  of  June  to  take  the  command  of  the  fleet  on  the  American  station,  and 
to  oppose  Count  d'Estaing  in  those  seas :  but  during  the  summer  the  weather 
was  unconunonly  boisterous  in  the  Atlantic  ocean  ;  and  on  the  third  of  July  he 
was  overtaken  by  a  storm  which  dispersed  his  fleet.  Several  of  his  ships 
reacheil  New  York  singly;  and  six  of  them,  which  h.ad  kept  together  under  Ad- 
miral Parker,  arrived  there  on  the  29th  of  August.  Admiral  IJyron,  in  the 
Princess  Hoyal,  being  left  alone,  steered  for  Halifax,  where  he  anchored  on  the 
26th  of  .\ugust ,  and  in  tliat  port  found  the  Culloden,  one  of  his  fleet.  These 
two  vessels  being  refitted  witli  the  utmost  despatch,  he  sailed  on  the  4th  of  Sep- 
tember, and  arrived  at  New  York  about  the  middle  of  the  month. 

He  made  every  exertion  to  repair  his  shattered  squadron  ;  but  was  not  ready 
for  sea  till  the  I8th  of  October,  when  lie  sailed  for  Boston  in  quest  of  D'Estaing. 
I  (is  ill  fortune  still  pursued  him  ;  for  scarcely  had  he  reached  the  hay  of  Bos. 
ton,  when  on  the  1st  of  November,  a  violent  storm  arose,  which  drove  him  tc 
•ea,  and  so  disabled  his  ships  that  he  was  obliged  to  hasten  to  Rhode  Island  tc 
refit.  D'Estaing,  having  repaired  his  fleet,  seized  the  opportunity  of  Admira. 
Byron's  absence  to  put  to  sea,  on  the  3d  of  Noveinbor  and  steered  for  the  Wes' 
Indies.  On  the  same  day,  Grant,  with  a  detachinent  of  six  thousand  men  from 
the  British  army,  convoyad  by  six  sail  of  the  line  under  Commodore   Hotham 


'>t^3«5^^;j^(».#j^ 


^f 


OF  Tin:  amkiucan  ukvohtion 


VS»ft 


;aii.«  It  was 
'aptaiii  I'lT- 
by  Captain 
passaiji"  w  as, 
•  at  tlie  jilaoe 
ncrifaiis  had 
'ITS  as  vvcre 
iiinsi  vt's.si'ls, 
,'t'ck,  ami  had 
lOii  pnicrt'di'il 
uses  and  pulw 
lalions  on  pri- 

ates.had  bocn 
Dintinent  gave 
■ver,  pt>rmitU'd 
lies  of  infantry 
iiers,  and  com- 
Tg  harl)or,  and 
One  Juliet,  a 
ned  a  coinmis- 
.ittle  Egg  bar- 
irniation  of  the 
s  innnediately 
Ml' the  fifteenth 
jwed  ten  miles 
is  infantry,  left 
force  suddenly 
,  among  whom 
retreated,  with 
airy. 

lals  among  the 
t  of  the  war — 

om  England  on 
can  station,  and 
iier  the  weather 
:hird  of  July  he 
d  of  his  ships 
ether  under  Ad- 
l  Uyron,  in  the 
anchored  on  the 
is  fleet.  These 
I  the  4th  of  Sep- 
1. 

It  was  not  ready 
3st  of  D'Estaing. 
the  bay  of  Bos. 
;h  drove  him  tc 
Rhode  Island  tc 
unity  of  Admira. 
red  for  the  Wes* 
ousand  men  from 
modore   Hotham 


I 


:'s 


iailcd  fur  iln'  same  .|u;iiii'r.  'i'oward  ilif  finl  iif  ilic  innnili  a  dt'tacliiiifnt  of  iho 
Uniisli  annv  uiid.r  Luiiii'iiaiit-( 'oion.l  Caini)!)!!!.  ciiihaikt  d  with  the  dcsitjii  of 
liivadiiig  tli<'  soullnrii  stairs,  and  was  escdrlfd  hy  t'oiniiKulon-  Sir  I'ft.r  I'ar- 
kiT.      \  .suincient  forie  siiil  remained  at  .Vew  York  for  its  di'ftncc. 

As  tiie  si'asoii  lor  ai-iive  optTation'  v.  'he  northern  and  middle  slates  was 
now  at  an  uiid,  the  American  army  retired  into  winter  (piarters,  The  main 
l.odv  was  .antoiied  on  Imth  sides  of  the  N'ortii  river,  about  West  Point  and  Mid- 
dleburgli,  wliile  light  troops  were  posted  in  advaiiee.  in  tins  siliiatioii  tliey  eov- 
eri'd  the  eountry,"and  were  conveiiieiilly  plaeed  for  procuring  subsistence.  The 
greater  part  of  the  men  were  on  tlie  west  side  of  tlie  river,  because  from  that 
ijiiarter  the  supplies  of  bread  were  drawn,  while  the  animal  food  was  brought 
Iroin  the  states  of  \ew  England  ;  and  it  was  easier  to  drive  the  cattle  than  to 
rraiisport  tlie  corn  from  a  distance.  The  army  was  lodged  in  huts  as  in  the  pre- 
lediiig  winter ;  but,  by  nieaiis  of  the  French  alliance,  the  men  were  more  com- 
foriablv  clothed  tliau  formerly. 

During  the  summer  of  1778  a  harassing  and  destructive  war  was  carritMl  on 
In-  I  lie  Indians  against  the  settlers  on  the  western  frontier  of  the  United  States. 
C'ongress  was  desirous  that  tlie  numerous  tribes  of  aboriginal  inhabitants  should 
either  become  their  allies  or  remain  neutral  during  the  war.  At  first  many  of 
tlie  nations  setuned  friendly  to  the  United  States :  but  congress  had  not  the 
means  of  snjjplyiiig  them  with  those  European  commodities  wliieli  they  were 
111  ilie  habit  of  "using;  while  the  British  agents  in  Canada  liberally  bestowed 
u|)oii  them  the  articles  of  which  they  stood  in  need,  and  zealously  invited  them 
to  take  up  arms  against  the  United  States.  By  their  presents  and  their  councils 
lliey  alienated  ihe  minds  of  the  Indians  from  the  Americans,  ai.  :  prevailed  upon 
thein  to  espouse  the  British  cause  ;  so  that,  from  the  .Mohawk  to  tiie  Ohio,  the 
American  frontier  was  threatened  with  the  tomahawk  and  the  scalping-knife. 

.Vlthough  the  storm  was  foreseen,  yet  the  measures  of  the  Americans,  de- 
pending on  the  resolutions  of  difFerent  stales  and  the  agency  of  militia,  were 
not  sulHcientlv  prompt  to  prevent  or  anticipate  the  threatened  aggression  The 
Indians,  with'savage  fury,  burst  into  the  American  territory,  carrying  death  and 
desolation  in  their  train'.  The  happy  settlement  of  Wyoming  became,  in  a  par 
licular  manner,  the  scene  of  carnage,  misery,  and  ruin.  'I'hat  beaiUiful  tract  of 
country,  lying  on  both  siiles  of  the  Susciuehannah,  was  claimed  both  by  Connecti- 
cut anil  Pennsylvania  ;  and  had  been  settled  by  emigrants  from  the  former  of 
those  states,  who,  it  is  said,  purchased  the  land  from  the  Indians.  The  settle- 
ment was  in  a  most  flourishing  condition,  and  contained  upward  of  1,00')  fami- 
lies. Unfortunately,  Wyoming  was  not  free  from  those  political  dissensions 
which,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  agitated  every  province  of  the  union,  and 
which  have  such  a  pestilential  tendency  to  destroy  soi  ial  happiness  and  embit- 
ter human  life.  A  great  majority  of  the  settlers  zealously  espoused  the  cause 
of  congress  ;  but  a  few  were  devoted  to  the  support  of  royalty.  These  last,  con- 
sidering themselves  harshly  treated  by  their  political  opponents,  withdrew  from 
the  settlement,  and  sought  refuge  among  the  savages,  or  retired  to  the  British 
posts  on  the  frontiers  of  Canada.  There  they  cherished  a  deadly  hatred  against 
their  countrymen,  and  meditated  sanguinary  schemes  of  vengeauce. 

At  the  head  of  those  refugees  was  Colonel  John  Butler,  cousin  of  Zebidor 
liutler,  commander  of  the  miliiia  of  Wyoming.  The  hostile  designs  of  the 
Indians  and  of  the  emigrants  were  not  unknown  to  the  settlers  at  Wyoming 
who  constructed  forts,  and  made  such  other  preparations  for  defence  as  thtf 
were  able.  But  their  enemies  endeavored  to  deceive,  in  order  more  easily  to 
des:rov  them.  The  hostile  Indians  sent  messengers  with  assurances  of  their 
peaceable  dispositioK  and,  the  more  effectually  to  lull  the  settlers  at  Wyominj, 
luio  a  fatal  security.  Butler,  in  a  numer'^ns  assembly  of  savages,  declared  thu 


•zm 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


mmm 


'9 

s 


■  'il^:iA'^iiSN^i$'ieK- 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


287 


he  was  about  to  retire  to  Detntit,  adding,  agreeably  to  the  peculiar  idiom  ol'  nia 
luditois,  that  "his  hand  was  too  short  to  do  anything  that  year."  Tliese  pro- 
fessions and  declarations  were  merely  intended  to  deceive  ;  but  the  perfidious 
artifice  was  not  followed  with  complete  success.  The  settlers  suspected  the 
designs  of  their  enemies,  and,  it  is  said,  wrote  to  congress  and  to  General 
Washington,  representing  the  danger  to  which  they  were  exposed ;  but  their  let 
ters  were  intercepted  by  the  royalists,  or  tories,  as  they  were  commonly  called, 
of  Pennsylvania,  so  that  goveriunent  remained  ignorant  of  the  perilous  state 
of  Wyoming.  Meanwhile  the  settlers  betook  themselves  to  their  forts  for  se 
curity. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  a  hostile  force,  supposed  to  amount  to  1,500  men,  com- 
posed of  300  Indians  under  their  own  chiefs,  and  upward  of  1,000  tories  painted 
like  Indians,  commanded  by  Colonel  .lohn  Butler,  burst  into  the  settlement 
They  easily  gained  possession,  by  treachery,  it  is  said,  of  one  of  the  upper 
torts  ;  and  they  look  the  other.  The  two  principal  forts,  Kingston  and  Wilkes- 
barre,  were  situated  near  each  other,  but  on  different  sides  of  the  river.  Of 
the  first  of  these  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  took  possession,  with  the  greater  part 
of  the  armed  force  of  the  district ;  and  a  number  of  women  and  children  took 
refuge  in  the  same  place.  When  summoned  to  surrender  the  fort,  Zebulon  But 
ler  refused  compliance,  but  proposed  a  parley ;  and  a  place  at  some  distance 
from  the  fort  was  agreed  on  for  a  conference.  At  the  head  of  400  men,  Butler 
left  the  fort  and  marched  toward  the  appointed  spot,  but  found  none  of  the  op- 
posite party  there.  At  a  still  greater  distance  from  the  fort,  however,  and  near 
the  foot  of  a  mountain,  he  saw  a  flag  displayed,  and  with  imprudent  confidence 
proceeded  toward  it ;  but,  for  a  while,  it  retired  as  he  advanced.  A.  length  he 
found  himself  almost  surrounded  by  the  enemy,  who,  instead  of  a  friendly  confer- 
ence, commenced  a  furious  attack  upon  them.  In  that  alarming  juncture  the 
Americans  displayed  much  firmness,  and  fought  with  such  steady  courage  that 
the  advantage  was  rather  on  their  side,  till  a  soldier,  either  through  treachery  or 
cowardice,  cried  out.  "  The  colonel  has  ordered  a  retreat !"  Instantly  his  men 
fell  into  confusion  and  a  total  rout  soon  ensued.  The  troops  fled  toward  the 
river,  which  they  endeavored  to  pass  in  order  to  enter  Fort  Wilkesharre, 
The  enemy  pursued  with  savage  fury,  massacring  without  resistance  all  wlm 
fell  in  their  way.  So  complete  was  their  success,  and  so  destructive  their 
rage,  that  of +00  men  who  had  marched  out  to  the  delusive  parley,  Zebulon  lim- 
ler  and  about  twenty  others  only  escaped.  In  this  transaction  we  an;  tM|u:illv 
surprised  at  the  unsuspecting  simplicity  of  the  one  party,and  the  sanguin.irv  con- 
duct of  the  other. 

Next  day  the  Indians  and  their  barbarous  white  allies  invested  Fort  Kingston 
Colonel  Deimison,  on  whom  the  command  of  the  fort  had  devolved,  sensible  of  iiis 
inability  to  defend  the  post,  went  out  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  inquire  what  terms 
would  be  iiranted  to  the  garrison  on  surrendering.  John  Butler,  with  savage 
ferocity,  ri'plied.  "  The  hatchet."  Dennison  defended  the  fort  till  most  of  his 
men  were  either  killed  or  wounded,  when  he  surrendered  at  discretion.  A  few 
prisoners  were  selected ;  and  John  Butler,  with  his  Indians  and  tories,  to  save 
themselves  the  trouble  of  murdering  individually  thoir  vanquished  enemies,  with 
ihs  women  and  children,  shut  them  all  up  in  the  houses  and  barracks,  set  fire 
to  the  buildings,  and  with  horrid  joy  saw  them  perish  in  one  general  confla- 
gration 

Butler  next  passed  over  to  Wilkesbarre  the  feeble  garrison  of  which, 
trusting  to  the  generosity  of  the  enemy,  aurrenderf  d  at  discretion  ;  but  they  mis- 
.ook  the  character  of  Butler  and  his  associates :  for  the  continental  soldiers, 
amounting  to  a'jout  seventy,  were  cut  in  pieces  ;  and  the  rest  of  the  people  in 
the  fort,  men,  women,  and  children,  were  consumed  in  the  flames,  as  those  of 


2S8  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

Kinrston  had  been.  All  show  of  resistance  was  at  an  end ;  but  the  work  of  de- 
vastation did  not  cease.  About  3,000  persons,  without  money,  clothe,  or  pro- 
visions,  precipitately  abandoned  iheir  homes,  and  fled  from  the  murderous  toma- 
nawk:  and,  in  or.ler  to  prevent  their  return,  their  enemies  destroyed  everything 
hey  had  left  behind.  In  the  work  of  desolation  and  death  fire  and  sword  were 
alternately  employed;  and  the  settlement,  which  had  »=»tely  bloomed  ike  para 
iise,  was  converted  into  a  dreary  and  silent  wilderness^  The  property  of  the 
few  tories  only  was  spared  ;  and  their  thinly-scattered  houses  and  farms  smiled 
in  the  midst  of  surrounding  ruin.  Having  gratified  their  revenge  and  hearing 
;hat  regular  troops  were  advancing  against  them,  the  savage  invaders  retreated 
from  the  country  which  they  had  laid  waste.  ,    ,      ^    ,  r      . 

Congress  could  not  spare  troops  to  cover  the  whole  of  the  western  frontier, 
which  was  exposed  to  hostile  incursions  ;  and  consequently  some  distric  s  were 
occasionally  ravaged  :  but  the  sufferings  at  Wyoming  were  so  J^^'""'^!^^';'^";;*' 
on  the  first  notice  of  what  had  happened.  Colonel  Hartley,  with  his  regiment  and 
two  companies  of  militia,  was  ordered  to  that  settlement  He  marched  against 
the  Indian  towns,  destroyed  some  of  them,  and  took  a  few  prisoners  ;  but  soon 
found  it  expedient  to  retreat.  He  was  pursued  and  vigorously  attacked,  but  re- 
nulsed  the  assailants  with  loss. 

'  The  fourth  Pennsylvanian  regiment,  with  some  of  Morgan's  riflemen,  com- 
manded by  Lieutenant-Colonel  William  Butler,  a  distinguished  partisan,  marched 
for  the  defence  of  the  western  frontier.  After  a  difficult  and  faUgxnng  march 
in  which  he  crossed  high  mountains  and  deep  waters,  he  reached  the  Indian 
owns  of  Unundilla  and  Anaquaqua,  near  the  sources  of  the  Susqueha.mah, 
where  a  considerable  quamity  of  corn  was  laid  up  for  winter  provisions  He 
destroyed  both  the  towns  and  corn,  drove  the  savages  to  a  greater  distance  from 
the  frontier,  and  rendered  their  incursions  into  the  provinces  more  difficult 

On  the  11th  of  November  500  Indians  and  loyalists,  with  a  sniall  detachment 
of  regular  troops,  under  the  command  of  the  notorious  John  Butler,  made  an  ir- 
ruption into  the  Settlement  at  Cherry  Valley,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  surprised 
and  killed  Colonel  Alden,  commander  of  the  American  force  at  that  place  and 
'en  of  his  soldiers.  They  attacked  a  fort  erected  there  ;  but  were  compelled  to 
retreat.  Next  day  they  left  the  place,  after  having  murdered  and  scalped  thir- 
ty-two of  the  inhabitants,  chiefly  women  and  children. 

^  During  the  summer,  the  house  of  Mr.  John  Merril .  of  Nelson  county  Ken 
tucky.  was  attacked  by  the  Indians,  and  defended  with  singular  address  and 
good  fortune.     Merrill  was  alarmed  by  the  barking  of  a  dog  about  midnight  and 
upon  opening  the  door  in  order  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  d>«  u^bance  he  re^ 
ceived  the  fire  of  'six  or  seven  Indians,  by  which  his  arm  and  ^^igh  were  b  t^ 
broken.     He  instantly  sunk  upon  the  floor,  and  called  upon  his  wife  to  close  the 
door.     This  had  scarcely  been  done,  when  it  was  violently  -««^'>«J»^yle  tom- 
ahawks of  the  enemy,  and  a  large  breach  soon  effected,     ^rs.  Me  r.U  how- 
evev,  being  a  perfect  Amazon,  both  in  strength  and  courage,  guarded  it  with  an 
axe   and  fuccessively  killed  or  badly  wounded  four  of  the  enemy  as  they  at- 
tempted to  force  their  way  into  the  cabin.     The  Indians  then  ascended  the 
oofCd  attempted  to  enter  by  way  of  the  chimney,  but  here,  again,  tney  were 
met  by  the  same  determined  enemy.     Mrs.  Merrill  seized    he  on  ^ J^a.^/;^^^^^^ 
which  the  cabin  afforded,  and  hastily  rippmg  it  open,  poured  ^J  ;«;^«"!«^    f^^^^^ 
the  fire      A  furious  blaze  and  stifling  smoke  instantly  ascended  the  chimne>, 
and  qiickly  brought  down  two  of  the  enemy,  who  lay  for  a  few  mon^ents  at  the 
mercy  of  the  lady.     Seizing  the  axe.  she  quickly  despatched  them,  and  was  in^ 
7ZIy  afterward^ummoned  to  the  door,  where  the  only  remaming  ravage  now 
appeared,  endeavoring  to  effect  an  entrance  while  she  was  «"g?gf.i,^'^'^%^3 
ney.     He  soon  received  a  gash  in  the  cheek,  which  compelled  him  with  a  lou.l 


i-; 


-*v: 


4?.;«isS<i««ii«.»>iiri*:st*fi'^***^'*&*'^^ 


work  of  (!«• 
le!*  or  pT3- 
erou3  toma- 
everything 
sword  were 
(1  like  para- 
lerty  of  the 
arms  smiletl 
and  hearini; 
>rs  retreated 

em  frontier, 
istricts  were 
irkable,  that, 
cgimeiit  and 
;hed  against 
rs  ;  but  soon 
eked,  but  re- 

lemen,  com- 

san,  marched 

riling  march, 

d  the  Indian 

isquehannah, 

trisions.     He 

listance  from 

lifficiiU. 

1  detachment 

made  an  ir- 

jrk,  surprised 

lat  place,  and 

compelled  to 

scalped  thir- 

county,  Ken- 
address  and 
midnight,  and 
rbance,  he  re- 
igh  were  both 
Fe  to  close  the 
id  by  the  tom- 
MerriU,  how- 
led it  with  an 
ny  as  they  at- 
ascended  the 
lin,  they  were 
ly  feather-bed 
contents  upon 
[  the  chimney, 
loments  at  the 
n,  and  was  in 
ig  savage  now 
id  at  the  chim- 
im  with  a  loud 


390  THE  PICTOHIAL  HISTOK\ 

V..11  to  reliimuish  his  purpose.     He  returned  to  Chilicothe,  where,  from  the  re 
Im  of  a  pnsoner    he'  ,ive   an   exaggerated  account  of  the  fierceness.  strengtV 

-^^^:^!^^^:f  and  New  YorW  were,  aflUcted  ^  ^  h^ 

Clarke      A   the  head  of  some  of  the  western  militia  of  Virgin,a,  by  mcredib le 

exertions  he  penetrated  to  the  British  settlements  on  the  Mississippi   and  took 

Uie  town  oKskaskias.  a  dependancy  on  Canada,  which  a  ong  wf  th^t 

iiice  had  been  given  up  to  the  British  at  the  peace  of  176o.     At  Kaskaskias 

Clarke  widi  a  hLdful  of  men.  was  far  re.noved  from  all  support,  and  surrom.ded 

bv  numerous  fierce  and  hostile  tribes  :  but  his  courage  and  talents  were  equa  to 

le  rduons  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed  ;  and  he  showed  in  a  st  i- 

'  iu/man«er  what  difficulties  a  sound  and  enterprisu>g  mind  can  surmount,  and 
xus  manner^  .^  ^^^  ^^^.^^^      ^^.^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^  ,^_.^^,i       j^  judgment, 

TiuTexecuted  w  aptitude  and  intrepidity.     At  the  nu,st  inclement  season 

of  they'r  h:sudden./attacked  the  Indians  in  ^^"  ^^^^^^'^T^^^^ 
military  art  fie cs  against  themselves,  and  damped  the  courage  of  their  warriors. 
On  taking  KaskLkias,  Clarke  made  Rocheblave,  governor  oi  die  place,  pis- 
oner  and  got  possession  of  all  his  written  instructions  lor  the  conduct  of  the 
war    fl    Quebec,  Detroit,  and    Michilimackinac.      From   those   papers   hc= 
a  ne!  that  Colonel  Hamilton,  governor  of  Detroit,  was  very  acUve  in  planning 
and  stinnilating  the  incursions  of  the  Indians  into  the  United  Slates      In  the 
montl  o    D  cember  Hamilton  advanced  to  St.  Vincent  on  the  Wabash,  in  ord  . 
to   prepare   an   extensive  expedition,  not  only  against  Clarke,  but  agains    the 
lie 'western   frontier  of  Virginia,  .^l-l^f  was  in  no  condition  to  en^^^^^^ 
the  combined  force  of  all  the  tribes  from  the  lakes  to  the  mouth  of  the  Uhio, 
s^pponell  by  the  troops  which  Hannlton  might  be  able  to  bring  in  o  the   field; 
but  he  took  the  best  measures  in  his  power  tor  maintaining  his  post. 

clnel  cLke  soon  received  infor'mation  that  HamiUon,  \--ting  to  Ins  dis- 
tance from  danger,  and  to  the  difficulty  of  approaching  h''^^'^^  ««'^  "J  f  J^  J 
Indians  to  alarm  and  harass  the  frontier,  and  lay  securely  at   ^j:  J/f '''^  J"^ 
only  about  eighty  soldiers,  having  three  field-pieces  and  some  swivels.     Clarke, 
a  houL^h  he  could  muster  only  130  men.  determined  to  take  advantage  of  Ham- 
Ss  weakness  and  security' and  to  attack  him,  as  the  only  means  of  saving 
h  msel.  ami  of  disconcerting'tUe  whole  of  Hamilton's  P  -     ..^--yi;;'^^^ 
the  be-rinning  of  February,  1779,  he  despatched  a  small  galley  which  he  had 
fit'ed  out  moi-n  ing  two  four-pounders  and  four  swivels,  manned  with  a  company 
Sslie;s  and  carrying  storis  for  his  men.  with  orders  to  force  her  way  up  the 
Wabash  to  take  her^tftion  a  few   miles   below   St.    Vincent,  and  to  allow  no 
person  t  pass  her.     He  himself  marched  with  his  little  band,  and  spent  sixteen 
rvsintrrversing  the  country  between   Kaskaskias  and   St.  Vmcent,  passmg 
tith  icrSe  fatigue  through  woods  and  marshes.     He  was  five  days  in  Cros- 
se 5  lie  drow  >ed   a  ds  of  the  Wabash  ;  and  for  five  miles  was  frequently  up  to 
the  breast  h.  water.     After  overcoming  difficulties  which  had  been  though    m- 
tu  ...    bre.Te  appeared  before  the  place,  and  co.npletely  surpris.d  ,t       Hre 
inhabita..ts  readily  submitted,  but  Hamilton  at  hrsl  delended  h.n.sell  in  the  (ort . 
ext  day  h.^wever,  he  surrendered  hi.nself  and   l..s  garrison   pr.soners-ol-    ar 
m  h  s  a'cliW^^^  in  encouragi..g  the  hostilities  of  the  In.  lans,  and  by  the  revolt,,  g 
e.o.Ues  perpetrated  by  fho^e  savages,  Hamilton  had  rcdered  h..nse  f  so  ob- 
noxlouMhat  ;L  executive  cou.icil  of   Virginia  threw  I.....  a,.d   so.ne  of  his  im 
mediate  aacnts  into  priso..,  a.id  put  them  in  nons. 

ThU  Xprise  o   Clarke  was  of  .nuch  advantage  to  congress      It  disconcert^ 
ed  the  whi'of  Hamilton's  plan,  saved  the  wester.,  frontier  ol  virgm.a  .rum  the 


■m^:-:- 


':.  ':S  r.:i'--^^-^'^l'PvW'.''*J-'">"'-'""^'  ^.^';^i«*ip'i•''-^'■■i.^i£5^.V•7!''^r■- 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


29. 


from  the  re 
ess,  strengtV 

1  by  the  hor 
inia,  but  was 
orge  Rogers 
by  incredible 
ppi,  and  took 
th  that  prov- 
t  Kaskaskias 
d  surrounded 
were  equal  to 
Ared  in  a  stri- 
urmount,  and 
th  judgment, 
ement  season 
rned  all  their 
^eir  warriors, 
le  place,  pris- 
onduct  of  the 
e   papers    he 
■e  in  planning 
ates.     In  the 
bash,  in  ordet 
It  against  thft 
1  to  encountei 
li  of  the  Ohio, 
ito  the   field ; 

St. 

ig  to  his  dis- 
tent off  all  hia 

Vincent  with 
vels.     Clarke, 
itage  of  Ham- 
jans  of  saving 
irdingly,  about 
which  he  had 
ith  a  company 
ler  way  up  the 
d  to  allow  no 
d  spent  sixteen 
incent,  passing 
e  days  in  cros- 
requently  up  to 
en  thought  in- 
»ris«d  it.     The 
«elf  in  the  fort : 
risoners-of-war. 
by  the  revolting 

himself  so  ob- 
some  of  his  im 

It  disconcert' 
irsiinia  trom  the 


extensive  devastations  of  savage  warfare  which  had  been  devised  against  it, 
cooled  the  ardor  of  many  of  the  Ip  lian  tribes,  and  deterred  them  from  engaging 
in  their  ferocious  incursi(jns  into  tiie  United  States. 

Except  the  unsuccessful  attack  on  Sullivan's  island  in  1776,  the  British  force 
had  hitherto  been  directed  solely  against  the  northern  and  middle  states,  thn 
most  populous  and  strongest  parts  of  the  Union.  If  the  north  had  been  subdued, 
the  south  must  have  yiehled :  but  the  results  had  not  answered  the  expectalicne 
of  the  British  cabinet.  One  army  had  been  compelled  to  lay  down  its  arms  ; 
and  the  army  on  the  coast  had  been  of  little  advantage  to  the  cause.  The  peo- 
ple hid  inileed  suffered  much  in  the  course  of  the  contest ;  but  their  sufferings, 
insisad  of  subduing  their  spirits,  had  only  embittered  their  animosity  against  the 
mother-country. 

In  those  circumstances,  when  the  season  for  active  operations  in  the  middle 
and  norliitirn  states  termina'sd,  the  British  commander-in-chief  resolved  to  make 
an  attempt  on  the  southern  provinces,  as  an  experiment  to  ascertain  the  probable 
result  of  transferring  the  war  to  that  quarter.  If  he  could  not  subdue  all  the 
country,  he  might  reduce  a  part  of  it  to  allegiance  to  the  British  crown.  Suc- 
cess in  the  south  might  pave  the  way  for  victory  in  the  north.  The  south  pro- 
duced the  commodities  most  valuable  in  the  European  market ;  and  the  posses- 
sion of  some  of  the  provinces  would  entitle  the  British  government  to  better 
terms  at  a  general  peace.  By  these  and  similar  considerations,  the  British  coin- 
mander-in-cliief  was  induced  to  try  tiie  chances  of  war  in  the  south.  His  atten- 
tion was  turned  to  that  quarter  by  a  desultory  but  destructive  warfare  which, 
during  tlie  precedinij  summer,  had  b3eii  carried  on  between  Georgia  and  East 
Florida.  In  some  degree  that  warfare  had  subsisted  ever  since  Georgia  joined 
the  Union  ;  but,  during  the  preceding  summer,  those  inroads  had  assumed  a 
more  serious  aspect  than  usual ;  numbers  of  loyalists,  who  had  fled  from  the 
Carolinas  and  Georgia,  sought  shelter  in  East  Florida ;  and,  animated  with  all 
the  fervor  of  political  zeal  and  personal  revenge,  they  readily  joined  in  those  ex- 
peditions. One  of  these  marauding  parties  advanced  to  Sunbury  in  Georgia, 
which  they  summoned  to  surrender  ;  but  Colonel  Mcintosh,  commander  of  the 
fort,  returned  this  laconic  answer :  "  Come  and  take  it."  Understanding  by  this 
reply  that  they  were  to  meet  with  an  obstinate  resistance,  and  being  little  in- 
clined to  encounter  the  fatigue  and  dangers  of  a  siege,  the  party  immediately 
retreated.  Another  body  of  those  irregular  warriors,  by  a  different  route,  pene- 
trated as  far  as  the  river  Ogeechee,  within  thirty  miles  of  Savannah.  There 
they  found  Colonel  Elbert,  with  200  continental  troops  ready  to  dispute  the  pas- 
sage of  the  river ;  and  being  informed  of  the  retrograde  movement  of  the  other 
division,  they  also  retraced  their  steps,  marking  their  course  by  ruin  and  carnage. 

This  inroad  was  retaliated  by  an  incursion  into  East  Florida  by  General 
Robert  Howe,  commander  of  the  military  force  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia. 
But  his  troops  were  attacked  by  disease  ;  and  he  was  obliged  to  hasten  home 
with  considerable  loss.  Scarcely,  however,  had  his  army,  consisting  of  between 
six  and  seven  hundred  continental  soldiers  and  a  few  hundreds  of  militia,  taken 
post  ii  the  vicinity  of  Savannah,  when  he  had  to  encounter  an  enemy  far  more 
formidable  than  the  irregulars  of  East  Florida. 

t  plan  of  attack  on  Georgia  had  been  concerted  between  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
aid  Geneial  Provost,  who  commanded  in  East  Florida.  ^  British  detachment 
was  to  Ian  I  on  the  banks  of  the  Savannah,  and  there  to  be  joined  by  the  troops 
under  General  Provost,  who  was  to  command  the  whole.  For  that  purpose  the 
seventy-first  regiment  of  foot,  two  battalions  of  Hessians,  four  of  loyal  provin- 
cials, and  a  pjrty  of  artillery,  amounting  in  all  to  about  3,500  men,  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Campbell,  sailed  from  Sandy  Hook  on  the  27th  of  Novein- 
oer ;  and,  as  already  menti  ned,  was  escorted  by  a  small  squadron  under  Com- 


292 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


'.i'Jj 


ff;  ipio" 


mpton 


X. 


™A<OkOUt 


Siege  qf 

.ESTON 
c. 

of  ynWj 

B    ■an   anw 


..:.;i*^^ 


modore  Parket.     The  armament  appeared  off  the  inouili  of  ilie  Savannah  tn  the 
23il  of  December. 

'I'he  river  Savannah  is  the  line  of  .separation  between  the  states  of  Georgia 
and  Soutli  Carolina;  and  the  country  about  the  mouth  of  the  river  is  one  con- 
tinued marsh,  impassable  by  troops  except  over  causeways  extendiufj  througli 
the  swamps.  Colonel  Campbell  had  heard  nothing  of  the  movements  of  Ueu- 
eral  Provost,  who  was  to  command  the  expedition  ;  but,  having  received  some 
information  concerning  the  state  of  the  province  and  its  military  force,  he  deier- 
mineil  to  commence  active  operations  without  waiting  the  geseral's  arrival.  He 
accordingly  proceeded  up  the  river  to  the  first  practicable  landing-place  at  Ceri- 
do's  plantation,  al)out  three  miles  below  the  town  of  Savannah,  where  the  debar 
cation  began  early  on  the  morning  of  the  29tii.  From  the  landing-place  a  nar- 
row causeway,  600  yards  long,  with  a  ditch  on  each  side  of  it,  ran  through  a 
rice  swamp  to  the  plantation  on  the  rising  ground.  Captain  Cameron  of  the 
seventy-first  regiment,  with  his  light  infantry,  landed  first,  and  advanced  along 
the  causeway.  A  small  American  party,  slatioiuul  on  the  rising  ground  at  the 
upi)er  end  of  it,  received  the  Rritish  detachment  with  a  discharge  of  musketry, 
which  killed  Captain  Cameron  and  two  of  his  men,  and  wounded  five  others. 
The  Highlanders  rushed  forward,  and  the  Americans  retreated,  when  the  British 
landed  without  farther  interruption. 

The  American  General  Howe,  with  about  900  men,  had  occupied  a  good  po- 
sition about  half  a  mile  below  the  town  of  Savannah,  on  the  road  leading  to 
Gerido's  plantation.  The  swamp  and  river  were  on  his  left,  a  morass  in  from 
extending  beyond  his  right  flank,  where  it  was  covered  with  wood  and  bushes. 
He  had  one  piece  of  artillery  on  each  flank,  and  two  pointed  to  the  road  by 
which  he  expected  the  British  troops  to  advance.  He  had  broken  up  the  road 
and  destroyed  a  bridge,  so  that  his  front  was  well  secured  ;  and  if  the  attack 
had  been  made  in  that  quarter  only,  an  obstinate  conflict  might  have  ensued. 
But  a  negro,  who  fell  into  Colonel  Campbell's  hands,  informed  him  of  a  private 
path  through  the  marsh,  beyond  the  American  right  flank,  and  by  which  their 
rear  might  be  gained.  Colonel  Campbell  came  in  sight  of  the  American  army 
about  three  in  the  afternoon  ;  and,  while  the  iu'  qualities  of  the  ground  partly 
concealed  his  movements,  he  detached  Sir  James  Baird  with  the  light  infantry 
and  New  York  volunteers  to  cross  the  morass  by  the  private  path,  turn  the 
.\merican  right,  and  attack  their  rear.  Meanwhile,  in  order  to  amuse  the  Ameri- 
cans and  divert  thtir  attention  from  the  real  point  of  attack,  Colonel  Campbell 
performed  some  evolutions  in  from ;  but  as  soon  as  Sir  James  Baird  had  passed 
the  swamp  by  the  private  path,  he  attacked  a  party  of  Georgian  militia,  and  the 
firing  on  that  occasion  informed  Colonel  Campbell  of  the  success  of  his  detach- 
ment, and  gave  the  American  general  the  first  notice  of  the  danger  which  threat- 
ened his  rear.  The  British  line  was  ordered  to  advance  rapidly :  the  artillery, 
which  had  been  concealed  behind  an  eir.inence,  was  brought  forward,  and  began 
a  brisk  cannonade  on  the  Americans.  Howe  ordered  a  retreat,  which  was  now 
become  difficult.  His  men  ran  across  a  plain  in  front  of  Sir  James  Baird's  de- 
tachment, which  attacked  them  with  great  impetuosity,  and  did  considerable 
execution.  Such  of  them  as  escaped  retreated  up  the  Savannah,  crossed  the 
river  at  Zubly's  ferry,  and  took  refuge  in  South  Carolina. 

The  fort,  forty-eight  pieces  of  cannon,  twenty-three  mortars,  a  quantity  of 
military  stores  and  provisions  collected  for  the  use  of  the  southern  army  and  the 
capital  of  Georgia,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  conquerors.  The  brave  defence  of 
Fort  Moultrie,  in  1776,  had  hitherto  saved  the  southern  states  from  the  horrors 
of  war  ;  but  the  defeat  of  Howe  at  Savannah  made  those  states  the  scene  oi 
fierce  and  desolating  hostilities  during  the  remainder  of  the  contest. 

General  Prevost  had  been  ordered  to  join  Colonel  Campbell  and  command  tli« 


.^34  rilK  PICTOKIAI.  mSTORV 

expe.Uiion  ;  but  Oampbell  had  acte.l  with  such  pro.nplilu.k-  that  the  reductior 
■Ah-  province  was  ahnost  accomplished  before  Prevost  appeared. 
■    Colonel  Campbell,  having  taken   the  necessary   measures  lor  securing  lh« 
..ortner     rentier  or  Georgia!  turned  his  attention  toward  the  garrison  o(  feur.. 
y  the    e   ^at  of  which  was  cutoff;  but,  when  he  was  about  to  march  agains 
h^  was  informed  that  it  had  surrendered  to  General  Prevost,  who  advanced 
;  sfu^na      where  he  arrived  about  the  middle  of    anuary,  a.ul  took  the  com- 
nand  o    the  Hrilish  force  in  Georgia,  agreeably  to  the  original  plan  o   the  expe- 
hlon      He  immediately  detached  Colonel  C.mpbell,  with  800  regular  troops 
a  ^Tsotne  pr.,vincials,  against  Augusta,  the  principal  town  ol  the  interio    part  of 
The  provmie,  situated  on  the  south  bank  of  the   Savannah,  about  150  miles  from 
the  coast.     Possession  of  it  was   easily   acquired,  and  thus  the  reduction  of 

'^^vElLr  ^xptlo-a^ainst  Georgia  was  preparing  at  New  York.  congr^« 
was  meditating  the  coiu,uest  of  East  Flonda.  Having  received  no  ice  from 
General  Washington  of  an  intended  attack  on  the  southern  slates,  the  delegates 
of  Gcogia  requested  that  General  Lincoln,  who  had  been  second  m  rank  at 
Saratoga^  should  be  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  southern  army.  Accord- 
Lly,  so  far  back  as  the  month  ..f  September.  Howe  had  been  ordered  to  repair 
"the  headquarters  of  General  Washington,  and  Lincoln  was  nominated  com- 
ma^mler  n  the  outh.  At  the  same  time  congress  passed  a  resolution,  requesting 
Ihe  executive  councils  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina  to  give  all  the  assistance 
in  their  power  to  South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  ,>,.,.       ,i,„  „„„i,al 

In  obedience  .o  orders.  General  Lincoln  repaired  to  Charleston,  the  capital 
of  South  Carolina,  where  he  found  the  military  affai.s  of  the ,^o""»n[. m  -""ch 
disorder  From  iiiadvertency,  or  want  of  means,  congress  had  established  no 
Continental  military  chest  in  the  southern  department^  ^^"' 1?!^  .""S  tl 
troops  depen.lant  on  the  several  state  governments  for  s^PPl'^^^^J",'^  .«";]ll^  J« 
army  to  move  on  any  emergency;  and,  m  a  groat  degree,  subjected  even  the 
rntinemal  troops  to  the  control  of  the  civil  authority  '"J^^  several  sUtes 
The  militia,  also,  who  had  been  taken  into  continental  pay  considered  them- 
selves subject  only  to  the  military  code  of  the  pro.. nee  to  which  they  belonged 
Sulh  a  state  of  things  was  extremely  unfavorable  to  the  promptitude  and  vigor 

^^vlirGrralTincoln  was  employed  in  rectifying  disorders  and  maldng 
preparations  for  the  ensuing  campaign,  he  received  inf^^"™^"""  «f  ^J^  «'■ 
Lee  of  the  British  armament  off  the  coast  of  Georgia.  So  P^^^^J  ^^^^  '^^ 
state  of  North  Carolina  complied  with  the  '''^^^'^^f^''°''fS'^''Zrl^^^^^^ 
their  southern  neighbors,  that  2,000  men,  raised  for  '.hat  purpose  arrived  at 

Charkston,  under  the  command  of  Generals  Ashe  -"^ /"^^"^"'^'^ ,  ^""i^^^iJ""^ 
the  state  of  North  Carolina  had  raised  the  men,  it  had  not  F^^^^^^h^Troops 
arms  ;  and  congress  had  no  magazines  in  that  part  of  the  union.  Fhe  troops, 
Sere  ore,  were  dependant  on  South  Carolina  for  every  military  equipment:  but 
Estate  Though  better  provided  than  North  Carolina,  had  no  superabundance 
of  arms  and  under  the  apprehension  that  its  own  territory  was  to  be  invaded, 
Jeered  supplying  the  troJfs  of  North  Carolina  with  arms  till  it  was  too  late  to 

"  wilt  uC;  l^e^tXd  that  the  British  fleet  had  entered  the  Savannah  the 
arms  were  furnished,  every  exertion  was  made  to  put  the  »™7«  "^  ^W^f^" 
"motion,  and  General  Lincoln  at  their  head  proceeded  rapidly  toward  the  en- 
emT-  but  on  his  march  he  received  information  of  Howe's  defeat,  and  «oon  af- 
Lwlrd  met  the  feeble  remnant  of  the  beaten  army  at  P«"y«b"'g>  ^^^^'""il  ^-^ 
m  the  north  bank  of  the  Savannah  about  thirty  miles  --rom  he  coast  At  Per- 
rvsburg  General  Lincoln  established  his  Jeadquarters  on  the  3d  ol  January 


'■M^^ 


if     ' 


OFTIIK  AMKRICAN  K  K  VOIJ'riO.N. 


'2'Ji 


he  reduclior 

securinj;  the 
ison  of  Sim* 
iiarch  iiKi^i"*' 
'ho  iidvaticed 
)(>k  the  cum- 
1  of  the  cxpe- 
giilar  troops, 
terio.  part  of 
)0  miles  from 
reduction  of 

ork,  congresa 
\  notice  from 
the  delegates 
nd  in  rank  at 
Tiy.  Accord- 
ered  to  repair 
Tiinated  com- 
on,  requesting 
the  assistance 

in,  the  capital 
untry  in  much 
istablished  no 
t  rendered  the 
to  enable  the 
cted  even  the 
jeveral  states, 
isidered  them- 
hey  belonged, 
tude  and  vigor 

s,  and  making 
)f  the  appear- 
)mptly  had  the 
igress  to  assist 
ose,  arrived  at 
.  But  although 
ded  them  with 
.  The  troops, 
jquipment:  but 
uperabundance 
I  to  be  invaded, 
was  too  late  to 

Savannah, the 
I  of  Charleston 

toward  the  en- 
it,  and  soon  af- 
g,  a  small  town 
coast.  At  Per- 
3d  of  Jaouaiy 


I'he  force  under  his  coiniimml  amouiitcil  to  between  3,000  and  4. 600  inei.,m!»ny 
iftlietn  new  levies  ;inil  militia,  wlio  were  sir:iii<;ers  to  the  discipline  ami  sulxinii* 
iiatioii  of  a  camp.     'I'he  army  of  (Jeiieral  I'rcost  was  somewliat  more   immer 
oils,  ami  ureaily  superior  in  the  (|uality  of  the  troops. 

Hut  with  all  his  ailvaiilaues  it  was  not  easy  lor  Cteneral  I'revost  to  advance 
into  Soiiili  Carolina  ;  lor  the  river  Savannah  (lowed  between  the  two  armies. 
Its  chainiel,  indeed,  is  not  wide  ;  but  for  100  miles  from  its  mouth  it  flews 
through  a  marshy  eoiiiitry,  which  it  often  iiimi'lates  to  the  breadth  of  from  two 
lo  lour  miles.  .At  no  om^  place  is  there  solid  ground  on  both  sides  to  tin;  brink 
of  the  river.  A  few  narrow  causeways  rumiing  through  the  marsh  art;  the  only 
|)laces  where  it  can  be  jiassed,  and  on  many  occasions  these  can  not  be  crossed 
bv  an  army.  'I'his  circumstance  made  it  difricult  for  CJeneral  Prevost  to  enter 
South  Cantliiia,  ami  i  iex|)eilieiil  for  Cleni'ral  liincidn  to  make  any  attempt  on 
tlie  Hiitish  |)ost.s,  although  they  extended  t'rom  Savannah  to  Augusta. 

'i'he  coast  of  (ieoriiia  and  South  (,'arolina  is  broken  and  irregular,  abounding 
ill  islands,  and  intersected  by  arms  of  the  sea.  Cieneral  Frevost  detachiul  Ma- 
jor (iardeiier,  with  200  men,  to  take  possession  of  the  island  of  Port  Royal; 
l)Ut  that  ollicer  was  soon  attacked  by  General  Moultrie,  who  compelled  him  to 
retreat  with  loss.  Deterred  by  that  check.  General  Prevost,  for  some  time, 
made  no  farther  a'tempts  on  South  ('arolina. 

I'rom  llie  beginning  of  the  war,  a  considerable  number  of  the  settbjrs  on  the 
western  frontier  of  the  three  southern  provinces  had  been  well  disposed  toward 
Great  Britain.  They  were  satisfied  with  their  condition,  and  wished  no  change. 
Information  of  the  first  successes  of  the  British  arms  in  Georgia  soon  reached 
these  settlers  ;  and  emissaries  were  despatched  to  invite  them  to  join  the  king's 
standard  at  Augusta,  which  had  been  erected  there  partly  with  a  vi(!w  to  favor 
such  movements,  and  to  encourage  the  loyal  settlers  to  co-operate  with  the 
troops  in  establishing  the  royal  authority.  Such  of  them  as,  on  account  of  the 
notoriety  of  their  principles  and  if  their  active  hostility  to  independence,  had 
been  obliged  to  seek  shelter  among  the  Indians,  were  flattered  with  the  hope  of 
returning  in  triumph  lo  the  enjoyment  of  their  possessions. 

About  700  of  these  loyalists  imbodied  themselves  under  Colonel  Boyd,  and 
began  their  march  from  the  back  part  of  South  Carolina  to  Augus'a.  Destitute 
of  provisions,  and  dependant  on  plunder  for  subsistence,  they  reseinbled  a  disor- 
derly banditti  rather  than  a  military  force  ;  and.  by  their  irregularities,  they 
armed  all  the  peaceable  inhabitants  against  them.  The  militia  assembled  under 
Colonel  Pickens  ;  pursued  and  attacked  them  near  Kittle  creek  ;  and  defeated 
them  with  considerable  slaughter,  Boyd,  their  leader,  being  among  the  killed. 
Many  prisoners  were  taken,  seventy  of  whom  were  tried  and  condemned  as  trai- 
tors, and  five  of  the  most  obnoxious  were  executed.  About  300  of  them  escaped, 
reached  the  British  outposcs,  and  joined  the  royal  army.  ThI;  defeat  depressed 
the  rising  spirits  of  the  loyalists,  and  for  a  while,  preserved  'he  tranquillity  of 
the  western  frontier. 

The  British  post  at  Augusta  was  too  distant  from  the  main  body  of  the  army 
to  be  easily  maintained  ;  and  therefore,  about  the  middle  of  February,  Colonel 
Campbell  was  ordered  to  abandon  it.  By  slow  marches  he  moved  down  the 
river,  till  he  reached  Hudson's  ferry,  about  twenty-four  miles  from  Ebenezer, 
where  the  British  headquarters  were  then  established.  There  he  left  his  de- 
tachment under  the  care  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Prevost,  brother  of  the  genera], 
and  returned  to  Savannah. 

The  American  army  was  gradually  reinforced  by  the  arrival  of  militia  from 
the  Carolinas;  and  General  Lincoln  began  to  meditate  offensive  operations.    Ha 
extended  his  posts  up  the  river;  and  detached  General  Ashe,  with  1,300  mil: 
tia  lUO  continental  soldiers,  and  some  cavalry,  to  take  post  opposite  Augusta 


206 


Till-:  I'lCTDUlAl-  iiisroKV 


Ills  ,nt.-nti..n  was  In  stni.t-n  ihr  .,u;.rt..r,s  ..f  tlu-  Mrit.slMr....,,s.  li.i.l  h.  cn.i  oil  the 

arriving  at  his  stall Ash.-  louii.l   Auuusiu  aln.uly  .vu.  iuit...l     ...i.  .  .i«r. .,  ihlv 

'o    i    Ltnn^.iot.s,  he  crossnl  the  nvrr,  n.anluMl  .h.w,.  the  south  s..h-.  .n,l  took 
",      .  •  p.  in    where  IJrier  creek  t.lls  >nlo  the  S.v.u.t.ah,  tor-mn.  an  acute 

^le  V  1  .  H.s  posuion  was  ^n.o.l,  an,l  appeared  secure  1  he  Savannah 
w Ui  IN  n  rsh  s  was  on  Ins  h't' ;  an,l  hts  front  was  covered  hy  Uru-r  creek 
which  >s  alK.ut  s>x  yards  wide  and  unfordable  at  that  place,  as  well  as  tor  several 

""uMu'ru'ltvost  resolved  to  dislodge  the  A.nerican  detachment.  For  the 
„u  s  ■  anntsiuK  Ceneral  F.i.tcoln.  he  tnade  a  hI.ow  of  an  intent.on  to  pass 
1,'  .r  n  1  m  order  ...  occupy  the  attention  of  Ashe,  he  ordered  a  par  y  to 
a  .ear  o.  the  opp-.s.te  stde  of  Ik.er  creek,  in  his  Iront.  Meanwhile  (.oh  nel 
F  evost  with  '..00  chosen  men.  tnade  an  extensive  ctrcu.t,  passed  Urter  creek 
fif  ee? n'tiles  above  the  An.er.can  statio..,  gained  the.r  rear  unperce.ve.l,  and  wa 
a  mo  h.-ir   can^i,  b.-fore   they  discovered  his  approach,        he  '•""  "'^"'^l 

m  ,rsu  derCJeneral  to  meet  them,  at.d  b.-gan  the  en- 

r  ,  u  wi.U I  irit.  Hut  most  of  the  nulilia  threw  down  the.r  arms  without 
§i1.  a  ho  lU  in  confusion  into  the  mar.di,  and  swam  across  the  river  ni 
whi?h  n  Set^s  of  them  were  .Irowned.  General  Klbert  and  his  small  hand  of 
o  i  ent  r  "PPorted  bv  only  one  regiment  ..f  N..rlh  t:arolina  nu  it.a,  were  not 
i;gS.o'n.al.ltaii.theuneialc..n.lict;  but  being  -erpow..ed  f,^ nm.^.e^  . 
were  compelled  to  snrremler  tUemselves  rn^oner  ol   war.      1  he  Americans  lost 

betweeHoO  and  400  men,  wli..  were  killed  '^y'^^'^\^Z:J!^VZ 
ces  of  artillery.      Among  the  prisoners  were   (.eneral  i-.lbert  and  Colonel  .M  i n 
toTolfices  of  the   continental  army.     The  militia  were   dispersed  ;  most  of 
irem^viu;  escape.1  returned  home;  and  of  the   whole   of  Ashe's  division  not 
MKire  than  450  men  again  joined  General  Lincoln.  f„..„u 

The  lefeat  and  dispersion  of  Ashe's  division  deprived  Lincoln  of  one  four  h 
of  his  numerical  force,  restored  to  the  Hriiish  the  entire  possession  of  Georgia 
a  ml  opre  aS.i  their  communications  with  the  Indians  and  loyalists  in  the 
bckse  dements  of  the  southern  provinces.  The  success  was  complete  ;  and 
?ietrTp  evo  seems  to  have  flittered  himself  that  its  efVects  would  be  per  ma- 
ne,  for  next  day  he  issued  a  proclamation  establishing  civ,  government  in 
rp;otc:,'appo'inting  executivl  and  judicial  officers  or  us  admm^ 
declaring  the  laws,  as  they  existed  at  the  end  of  the  year  1775,  to  be  in  lorce 
and  to  continue  till  they  should  be  altered  by  a  legislature  afterward  to  be   as- 

'"•nlfdisaster  which  had  befallen  Ashe,  instead  of  terrifying  the  people  of 
H^SSZ  into  subunssion,  roused  them  to  more  vigorous  -rtion^^^^^^^^^ 
a  more  determined  resolution  to  maintain  their  independence.      I  hey  elected  as 
thdr^overno;  John  Rutledge,  a  man  of  talents  and  influence  ;  and  delegated  o 

•m  and  hL  coined  powers'aimost  dictatorial.     Rutledge,  who  -s  zea bus 
,he  cause  of  itidependence,  exerted  much  energy,  ^"-l  f."°"  ^^  / '^J.*^  "  ^^^^^^^^^^^ 
camp      Strengthened  by  such  a  large  reinforcement.  General  Lincoln  resnmf, 
hririginllpTan  of  gaining  possession  of  the  upper  parts  of  Georgia  ;  and  on 
le  23d  of  A^pril  he  marched  up  the  Savannah  with  the  main  ^'''1^  "  .h'«  ann> 
>ne  design  of  that  movement  was  to  afl^ord  prote^ction  to  the  state  legislature  of 
Gtueia  which  was  to  assemble  at  Augusta  on  the  1st  of  May. 

A  l^tal  time  the  river  was  in  full  flood,  and  overflowed  the  marshes  on  its 

mat.  i        The  rivulets  were  swollen,  and  the  swamps  inundated  ;  and  therefo  e 

ttrvs  belilv^d  that  a  small  military  force  would  be  able  to  defend  the  comjg 

»gainst  an  invading  enemy.     Accordingly,  lor  the  protec-tion  of  the  lower  dis 

ricts.  General  Lincoln  left  only  200  continentals,  under  Colonel  Mcintosh,  wn 


"  4^00mii^^m^' 


y'.t: 


w 


lo  cui  oil  the 

'riiiitiir.  On 
111,  ;it;r<'t';ilily 
iilc.  ;iiicl  tixik 
lint;  an  aiuti' 
lie  Savannah 
IJricr  crt'ck, 
IS  lor  srvrral 

out.     For  tlie 
iitioii  to  l)ii«"< 
f(l  a  parly  t(» 
lillc  ('i)'i(iiiel 
Uriisr  creek 
ivfil.anil  was 
lie  continental 
hc^an  the  en- 
arins  without 
s  tlie  river,  in 
small  band  of 
itia,  were;  not 
by  niiniliers, 
inericans  lost 
ih  seven  pie- 
olonel  M'ln- 
il ;  most  of 
division  not 


C 


rseil 


1  of  one  fourth 
on  of  Georgia, 
oyalists  in  the 
complete  ;  and 
■ould  be  perma- 
government  in 
(linistration.and 
to  be  in  force 
vard  to  be   as- 

the  people  of 
xeriions,  and  to 
rhey  elected  as 
md  delegated  to 
was  zealous  in 
1 ,000  militia  to 
.incoln  resume  i 
eorgia  ;  and  on 
»dy  of  his  army, 
te  legislature  of 

marshes  on  its 
1 ;  and  therefore 
end  the  countrv 
'  the  lower  dis 
1  Mcintosh,  wh 


39N 


IIIK   I'lCToHI  M,  IIISIOKY 


nail  l)<>f>ii  uxchiin){f(l,  mid  i^OO  militia  ;  i\i«  whole  coiiiinunilfil  \>y  (ifiicral  Muttl 
irii',  who  lijul  iliHtiiii;uiNli(>il  liiiii*!-!!'  by  !iin  l)rav«'  dolViui'  of  Suliivaii'.s  iHiaiiil  in 
llii'  ytNir  177t).  Il  was  t.'Xptclt  d  tiiat  il  an  iiivasiim  ol  tin-  iowt-r  [niris  ol  Soulh 
</aridiiia  hIiduM  I)c  aitt-iiipti-d  in  i.iiii'iilir.s  aSsciuc,  the  n.ilitia  wuul'!  ,ir(iiii|)tiy 
take  tlie  lit-ld  iii  dci'i'iicu  of  the  coiiniry. 

Instead  of  niarihiii^r  up  the  river,  and  eiuounterin);   Geiieial    Lincoln    in   the 
interior,  (ieiieral  Prevost  considered  iiii  irrii|)iioii   into  So.,  ii   i'arolina  tlie  hest 
means*  lor  recalliiifr  that  ollicer  I'roni  tlie  enterpriite  in    whic!)    he    w.m   eiit;:i^ed. 
Accordinuiy,  on  the  viDih  of  April,  when  Liiicoin  was  far  advi.Mced  on  his  way 
to  Augusta,  (Ii'iieral  Prevost,  with  VJ,r)00  troops  and  a  consideralde   nuiiil)er  ol' 
Indian  allies,  suddenly   parsed  the  river   near   i'errysbiirg.     Cidoiiel  M'lntosh, 
who  was  stationed  there  with  a  small  detachment,  retreated  to  General  Moultrie 
at  lilack  Swamp.     Cieiieral    I'revost   advanced    rapidly   into   the  country  ;  and 
Moultrie  was  obliged  to  retire  hastily  before  him,  destroying  the  bridges  in  his 
rear.      The  militia  who  were  in  the  field  8how<;d  no  courage,  and  could  not 
prevailed  on  to  defend  the  passes  with  a  ly  degree  of  bravery.     The  inilitu  ol 
the  state  did  not  appear  in  arms  as  had  been  expected  ;  and  Moultrie  exper^i  uccd 
an  alarming  diminution  of  his  strength,  by  the  desertion  of  many  of  'hose  i.iuli 
his  command. 

Immediately  after  the  passage  of  the  river  by  the  British,  an  cxcres.  was  sent 
to  I^iiR'oln,  then  nearly  opposite  Augusta,  informing  him  of  the  evi  ii.  He  con- 
sidered Prevost's  movement  as  a  feint  to  recall  him  from  lie  upper  parts  of  tl  ■. 
river,  and  determined  to  prosecute  his  plan,  and  compel  the  Hritish  general  lu 
return  for  the  defence  of  the  capital  of  Georgia.  Mfc.mwhile  he  despatched  300 
liylit  troops,  under  C«>lonel  Harris,  to  Moultrie's  assistance  ;  and  crossing  t):e 
river  at  Augusta,  he  marched  down  on  the  south  side  toward  the  town  of  Sa- 
vannah. 

General  Prevost's  original  plan  was  merely  to  make  a  temporary  incursion 
into  South  Carolina,  chiefly  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  Lincoln  to  retrace  his 
steps,  and  return  to  ihe  lower  parts  of  the  river.  But  meeting  with  a  feebler 
resistance  than  ho  had  anticipated,  and  encouraged  by  the  flattering  representa- 
tions received  I'rj'  .  Uie  loyalists  of  the  good  will  of  the  people  in  general  to  the 
royal  cause,  ani  «f  the  defenceless  state  of  Charleston,  his  views  began  to  en- 
large, and  at  length  ho  came  to  the  resolution  of  making  an  attempt  on  the  capi- 
tal of  South  Carolina.  He  resumed  his  march.  The  plundering  and  devasta- 
tion of  his  troops,  and  of  his  Indian  allies,  spread  terror  and  desolation  around 
him.  Moultrie,  with  his  handful  of  continentals,  and  his  militia,  retreated  before 
the  enemy,  giving  them  little  interruption,  farther  than  breaking  down  the  bridges 
on  the  road. 

Express  on  express  was  now  despatched  to  General  Lincoln  to  inform  him 
of  the  alarming  posture  of  affairs  in  South  Carolina.  That  officer  had  crossed 
the  Savannah  at  Augusta,  and,  notwithstanding  the  progress  of  the  British  army, 
resolved  to  proceed  down  the  south  side  of  the  river,  because  ^hat  road  was  al- 
most as  near  to  Charleston  as  any  other,  and  because,  by  showing  his  army  in 
Georgia,  he  hoped  to  rouse  the  courage  '  t  'he  intimidated  inhabitants.  Mean- 
while all  was  ac'vity  and  alarm  in  Chariusioi,.  Tltat  city,  as  already  meni'on- 
cd,  is  situated  on  a  point  of  land  betwe>  i  'le  '■t .  ■t''  »3hley  ui'  ~  -oper,  where 
they  terminate  in  a  bay  of  the  ocean.  1  li.    jea  the  place  had  been  for- 

tified, and  works  orected  on  the  islands  in  the  bay  to  defend  the  entrance.  An 
attack  by  land  had  not  been  anticipated ;  and  on  that  side  the  city  was  entirely 
open.  But  in  the  present  alarming  crisis  the  inhabitants  began  to  fortify  the 
city  on  the  land  sido,  and  prosecuted  the  work  with  vigor  and  unremitting  assi- 
duity. All  hands  were  employed  on  the  work  ;  the  slave .  nd  his  master  labored 
together.     Lines  of  defence  were  drawn  from  the  Ashley  to  the  Cooper  :  artil 


;)Mii'r!il  Motd 
■iii.'«  inhiinl  ir. 
|iurts  ol  Stiuih 
oiil'l  iirtimplly 

,;ncoln   in  the 
oliiia  tin-  ln'sl 

1 .1  on  liii  wiiy 
lilf  iiuinlxT  of 
oiK-1  M-Inlo»h, 
I'uiTiil  Moultrie 
country  ;  ami 

l)riilj,'e8  in  liis 
1  could  ni)t 
The  militii  oi 
rie  exs)orii:uced 

of  'hose  tiiider 

xpross  was  seul 
V.  It.  He  cou- 
pcr  parts  of  ih^ 
itish  geueral  lo 
despatched  300 
id  crossing  the 
he  town  o!'  Sa- 

porary  incursion 
I  to  retrace  his 
with  a  feebler 
ring  representa- 
in  general  to  the 
V8  began  to  en- 
mpt  on  the  capi- 
ing  and  devasla- 
esolation  around 
.  retreated  before 
down  the  bridges 

n  to  inform  him 
icer  had  crossed 
the  British  army, 
hat  road  was  al- 
ving  his  army  in 
labitants.  Mean- 
already  mennon- 
,oper,  where 
ce  had  been  for- 
he  entrance.     An 

city  was  entirely 
;an  to  fortify  the 

unremitting  assi- 
his  master  labored 
he  Cooper ;  artil 


>)F  rm;  amkiucw  ukvoi.i  tkin. 


•i\>v 


lery  wus  |)l:inlrd  .  n  iliein;  and  llifv  witc  lliiiikod  liy  iirimcl  n.illi'Vs  sIiIkmumi 
m  ilii- rivt-rn.  (tciuinl  Mouliric,  witli  lii^  It-clilc  furcc,  iiiicrrd  ilitt  iovmi  ,  tliu 
<U0  null  ilt'iiu'la'd  l>y  Lni>  oin  ;irrived  ,  (iovernor  liuilt'il^r,  wiio  huil  tiiLin  po<t'. 
Willi  till'  luiiiii.i   It  ('"tiiik;vl)uri;li  Ihtjli    up  lite   iiortli    liiiiin  h  ol    ilir    Kilmlo,  us   u 


ichlVal  Hiutimi  wlniii  i-  jr  tould  riiM»i  c'-'ily  atlonl  :is«i>t,iiii'i'  to  iiiiy  jijac)'  lliiil 
nii;;lit  III'  tliriMliiH'd,  Jiuftliiifif  'o  the  poi.ii  of  ibii^'cr  ,  :iuit  I'uIi^Ivi'h  |fj;iiiii  ciiiiie 
III.  All  tlio-<e  Uk  '|i4  enterinl  ilit  i  iiy  iii'arly  at  tlie  »;tinc  tin.  and,  loifciher 
with  ili(>  lortilicatioiis  rtceiitly  consirucUil.  pnl  it  in  u  condition  win  ilill'iren: 
triiin  tliat  in  which  it  li:ul  Ihi'ii  only  a  t'«'w  ilay^  I"  I'Mfe. 

Oil  till-  I'Vciiliig  ol'llu'  lUlli  ol  Nliiy,  :iliout  tliets.ile  wlicn  lli(>si'\i  ,  Aiiirru-iii. 
iciucliMii'iiis  eiitcrtMl  (iiarli'^iioii,  (it'iici  1  I'revosi  wi:li  hi.s  urniy  arm  1  at  A^li- 
y  li'rry.  Next  iiioniinu  lie  passed  tli.  ^er,  inai  :n.'d  down  tlie  neck  ln'twoti, 
le  Ashley  and  Cooper,  and  look  a  posin  'U  just  wiinoiil  the  rruch  of  the  i;uii« 
III  ilie  lurtilicatiotis.  TIk*  reniainilfr  of  i.  day  wa^  spent  in  Mii;;lil  skiriiiislif .s 
tJii  iIk'  I2tli  Cicneral  iVevost  siiiniiioiiL'd  tli  own  to  Mirri'iidiM  ;  and  (imtTiior 
Uuiii'ilmc,  deeinin<;  it  ol'  iniicli  iinportaiu'*>  tu  i^aiii  tinii'.  ilit-  day  was  ui'('U|ii  d  lit 
ti'i^dUaiiun.  On  the  part  ul  the  town  a  proposal  was  laud"  lor  tiie  neiitralii  of 
South  Carolina  during  the  war,  leaviiif^  its  uliiniai>-  fate  lo  lie  deterinined  by  die 
•realy  of  peace  ;  but  alter  several  nii'ssa^cs  and  <  ■plaiiatuins,  this  proposal  was 
miiruly  rejected  by  General  l'^evo^t.  who  told  tin  j<arn>oii  thai,  litin^  in  arms, 
liu'y  must  surrender  themselves  prisoiiers-of-w;ir.  Tlua  closed  tiie  nei^otiation, 
Hiid  both  parties  seemed  to  prepare  for  an  ajipeal  li>  >ins.  liiit  inxl  iiioiiiiii||i 
the  ;>arrison  was  agreeably  surprised  to  find  that  th>'  >  ritish  army  had  retre.ited 
during  the  night,  and  recrossed  Ashley  ferry.  (>.i  urveying  tlie  .Vinericun 
works,  General  Prevost  perceiveil  that,  although  ilu\  were  unlinislied,  yet  it 
was  too  hazardous  in  hi.s  circumstances  to  assault  Mn  lu  .  for  the  <>aiTisoii  was 
more  numerous  than  his  army.  There  was  no  tiin"  for  ''lay,  as  he  knew  Lin- 
coln was  ra|iidly  advancing  against  him ;  therefore  lie  ca:  le  to  the 
luiioii  of  immediately  retreating. 

General  f'revost  did  not  return  tu  Savannah  by  the  dirt 
vaiiced  ;  for  in  (-harleston  there  was  a  numerous  garrison 
colli  was  near  at  hand  with  his   army.     Therefore,  alter  p.. 
lie  lunieil  to  the  left  and  proceeded  to  the  coast,  wliiili,  ab( 
ami  being  intersected  by  arms  of  the  sea  all  the  way  to  ilie  i.i 
nail,  all'orded  him  the  easiest  and  safest  method  of  returning 
to  (ieorgia.      He  first  passed  into  the  island  of  St.  .lames,  ai 
!St.  John,  where  he  took  post  till  the  arrival  of  a  fiipply  of  pi 
had  lor  some  time  expected  from  New  York. 

My  hasty  niurches  General  Lincoln  had  arrived  at  1  )orclie.-.ter,  not  far  from 
Charleston,  before  General  Prevost  left  Ashley  ferry  ;  and  whan  the  Hrilish 
troops  proceeded  tu  the  coast,  Lincoln  followed  and  encamped  near  them,  both 
annus  being  about  thirty  miles  from  Charleston. 

.St.  John's  island,  of  which  General  Prevost  took  pusses^ion,  i^  separated  from 
tile  main  land  by  a  narruw  inlet  called  tStoiio  river  ;  and  'tie  cunnnunication  be- 
tween the  continent  and  the  island  is  kept  up  by  a  ftrry.  On  tho  coniineiit,  at 
liiis  lerry,  the  British  general  established  a  post ;  partly  for  the  >ecuriiy  uf  the 
;-.laii(l,  and  partly  for  the  protection  of  his  foragers.  F'or  the  ucleiice  of  the 
posi  tliree  redoubts  were  constructed,  and  joined  together  by  line^  of  communi- 
latioii.  For  some  time  1,500  men  were  stationed  at  the  post  under  Colonel 
I'revost  ;  and  the  conimunicalion  with  the  island  was  maintained  by  a  bridge, 
lorined  by  the  numeruus  schooners,  sloops,  and  smaller  vessels  winch  attended 
:»ie  army. 

>>o  long  as  the  whole  of  General  Prevost's  force  lay  on  St.  John's  island, 
rfi«4v  lo  support  hi'«  detachment  at  Stono  ferry,  Geueral  Lincoln  made  noatteinp 


prudent  reso- 

road,  as  he  had  ad 
I   ins  rear,  and  Lin- 
king   .Ashley    ferry, 
iding  with  islands, 
I.  iUith  ol  the  .Savaii- 
nil  ail  his  baggage 
i  then  into  thai  of 
visions,  wliuli  he 


300  TUF.   PUriORIAL  HISTORY 

.  .1  ,  nn«t  Hut  il...  nmish  -.•nri;il  set  out  on  Ins  ictiirn  to  ncorgla 
"^'"'  ';!  r'r..-  •  r  f  ns  M;.  hv  nt.sn.s  oi  the  shipping,  from  :.  bml  tc 
.fiin.spi.rtms  a  .ari;.  p.iri    i   ">    ■     1  ,  .  ,    „.jjt,,tihe  s^^irr  sou  tl  Stono 

;- '  ''•"'«  t,;:i''.Tsa':,;»u  l  ;^  "v:  ';.r,"..i,r,  .m.,,,,,,,,,.. » aw. 

l,.,ry,  was  ur.l.Tel  l.i  "•>>•""■  ,  "' „,„,,,,,.c„|„i„.|    Mailhi,.^     A   rnm.h.T  ol 

s';™:::.=;v';it':;,»,,;l;:i;':«.:"  ':■;;,.,.  u,,.  „i ™.i i...j  «»« 

-\>;;;:;-M,;;i;:;i,;';l':i;:ir,7.; - ';» ;„;;-  s,-'™;;ri.f  ,:^;,;!;i'2 

" « "■•■ rn;';:'i:'";.;r;  ;;r;;'  ,o, ' .  ™,;,».;.  !.,■  ...c  ,„.,'„» ..,. 

?""",      rr,       ■  r     '.".."" I  ".  Chad.....,.,  was  „,  ,,»s  .,v« 

1„„,  ,h..  tirst  warninu  oi  tlu-  appr'^'^'t^  "'  '>''  '■\".,,.ia,"  front  Ins  ris-l.-.  nn- 
nsun  una.r  arnts,  an,!  sent  owl  two  ^''''M':';'  '-  '  ^^'l  ^>  ^^  ^^l;**'",,,..  hu^l.lau.i- 
aerC:ap,atn(..n.pM     .oa...^^^ 

ers  ha.1  proce..!.-!  onl>  '' 't";  ' '  ^  j^^^  ^.„,„,,i  .  ,,  ,a  n,,.  luohlancWTs  pers.sto.l 
■it  ^X^^IlUU^l. 'i^^rs^"!;^.t,ter  Utll,.!  ..r  .onn.,...     Of  tU.  two 


companus,  el..v.n    mon  ..n.y   r.nurne.l  to  the  garnsm.. 


riie  wlutlt!    AniiTiuan 

„„.  „.,„  .>:^^;:;>  s.:s„;x:n,5  »si,  ™a^a  .^  s;;?;;.- 


OF  TllK  A.MKincW   K  i:\  ol.l   TION. 


30' 


rii  to  ncorgl-a 
iVom  .sl:mil  tc 

rrisoi.  t  f  Sumo 

untinii  o  iitiou; 
A   miiviluT  ot" 

i  were  rt'inoved 
mail,  laiiil  was 

1  of  tlio  IJritish 
he  rcsolveil  mn 
lack  the  posi  ai 
y  the  troops  oi. 
vas  to  pass  over 

attention  ol'  il" 
lost  at  ttie  Terry, 
il  Lincohi.  wiiii 
fonipi>se(l  ol  the 

Ibrnieil  tlie  h'l"t, 
i   in  the   Hriiisli 

a  gooil  way  in 
Americans   yave 
mtly  put  his  jrar- 
Din  his  riL;lt',  un- 
'l"he  hii;hlanii- 
;ontinental  troops 
ilanders  persisted 
(.(I.      or  the  two 
wlioh;    American 
leral  enjjagement 
inch  courage  anJ 
III  the  Hritish  U>t*. 
le  works  ;  but,  by 
eir  progress  was 
■en  unable  to  exe- 
,  apprehensive  of 
drew  off  his  men, 

him.  The  battle 
I  iwentv-three  pri- 
led.  'riie  Ameri- 
-live   privates  who 

and  rJO  privates 

1  the  post  at  Stimo 
from  island  to  isl- 
al,  where  General 
mel  Mailland. 
puts  a  stop  to  mih- 
inter,  was  now  be- 
;rs,  in  both  armies, 
■  season,  and  keep- 
s  expected  to  open 
iieral   Lincoln  whh 
Beaufort, 
great,  thai  General 


Fio.  120--Miri'(l  llrssians. 

Washington,  wf.-.k  as  his  army  was,  weakened  it  still  fartlier  by  ser.diiij;  a  de 
lariiment,  con.siri'ing  of  Bland's  regiment  of  cavalry,  ami  the  remnant  of  iha 
iaiely  under  Baylor,  but  now  commanded  by  I-ieuteiiant-roloiud  Wasliingtoii, 
with  some  nr-w  levies,  to  reinforce  (Jeneral  Lincoln. 

The  irruption  of  (ieneral  Prevost  into  Souili  Carolina  did  no  credit  to  the 
iiriiish  arinv.  nor  did  it  in  any  degree  serve  the  royal  cause,  although  it  occa- 
sioned great  loss  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  province.  The  British  army  marked 
its  course  by  phmdc^r  and  devastation.  It  spread  over  the  country  to  a  consid- 
erable extent :  small  parties  entered  every  house  ;  seized  the  plat(^  money, 
jewels,  and  personal  ornaments  of  the  people  ;  and  often  destroyed  what  they 
could  i.ot  carry  away.  The  slaves,  allured  by  the  hope  of  freedom.  repair<Hl  to 
ilie  royal  army  ;  and.  in  order  to  ingratiate  themselves  with  their  new  friends, 
ilisclosed  where  their  masters  had  concealed  their  most  valuable  effects.  Many 
of  those  slaves  were  afterward  shipped  off  and  sold  in  the  West  Indies.  Some 
hiiiidreds  of  them  died  of  the  camp  J"ever  ;  and  numbers  of  them,  overtaken  by 
disease,  and  afraid  to  return  to  their  masters,  perished  miserably  in  the  woods. 
It  has  been  calculated  that  South  Carolina  lost  four  thousand  slaves.  The  rap- 
ine and  devastation  were  great  ;  and  many  of  the  inhabitants,  in  order  to  save 
themselves  from  those  ravages,  made  professions  of  attachment  to  the  niyal 
cause  ;  while  the  means  which  induced  them  to  make  a  show  of  loyally  aliuna- 
•ed  all  their  affections  from  their  former  rulers. 

While  the  aveiits  now  related  were  passing  in  the  south,  several  desultory  op 
'rations,  the  object  of  which  was  devastation  and  pimider,  rather  than  conquest, 
KCTf  projected  by  the  British  in  the  middle  and  southern  states. 

.\dmiral  Gambier,  who  had  succeeded  Lord  Howe  in  the  command  of  the 
loet  on  the  American  station,  was  recalled  ;  and,  in  ilie  month  of  April.  Sir 
(Jeorge  Collier  succeeded  him.  Between  Sir  (»eorge  and  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  » 
itlan  was  concerted  for  interrupting  the  commerce  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  de- 
.'troying  the  magazines  on  its  shores.  For  those  purposes,  the  commander-in- 
liiief  detached  1,800  men  under  General  Matthews;  and  the  transports  in  which 
iliey  sailed  were  convoyed  by  th  admiral  himself.  The  tleei  sailed  from  Saiidy 
lliiok  (  u  the  .'iih  of  May,  and  entered  the  capes  of  Virginia  on  the  8lh.  The 
l""cr  part  of  Virginia  is  so  intersected  l)y  deep  creeks  and  rivers,  as  to  a'h  rd 
tliiisi'  who  have  the  command  of  the  waters  an  easy  passage  from  one  place  to 
niuiiiscr,  and  to  give  them  a  decided  advantage  over  those  wiio  are  destitute  of 
«'ich  I'lici  i  ies  of  communication. 


OF    rilF,   AMRKIC.W   RF:V()I.|iTION. 


.103 


w§ 


mm 


^k 


u 


The  fleet  aiicliored  in  Haiii|)ton  Koail,  a  lar<rf  liasiu  of  water  formt.'d  nv  thi^ 
confluence  of  the  rivers  James,  Xansenioml,  and  Eiizalieth.  On  the  niorniiii^ 
of  the  10th  it  entered  Rlizaheili  river  ;  and  tlie  weak  American  dctaelnnent  in 
that  quarter,  wholly  unable  to  resist  such  a  forinidal)ie  force,  saved  itself  hv 
fli<;ht.  The  British  troops  landeil  without  o[)positi()n.  General  Mattliews  es- 
tiblished  his  headquarters  at  Portsmouth,  whence  he  sent  small  parties  to  Xor- 
fulk,  Gopport,  Kemp's  laudinsf,  and  SulHilk  ;  where  they  took  an(l  carried  cff  or 
destroyed  a  laru^e  (|uantity  of  naval  and  military  stores,  and  a  mnnher  of  ships, 
some  of  them  richly  laden.  'I'he  loss  to  the  public  and  to  individuals  was  great 
llavin"  accomplished  the  object  of  the  expedition.  General  Matthews  returned 
to  New  York  before  the  end  of  the  montii. 

At  the  openin;^  of  tlie  cam|)ai!jn  of  1779,  the  Rritish  army  at  New  York  and 
Rhode  Island,  includiiiij  the  detachment  imder  freneral  Matthews,  amoimted  to 
upward  of  sixteen  thousand  men,  assisKul  by  a  powerful  fleet.  The  complete 
command  of  the  ocean  and  of  the  navijiable  rivers  enabled  tlie  royal  armv  to 
make  sudden  attacks  on  <Hstant  parts  of  the  country,  and  to  keep  the;  Americans 
in  perpetual  alarm,  as  they  knew  not  at  what  point  they  were  to  be  assailed.  In 
inunerical  force  the  noithern  army  of  congress  was  nearly  equal  to  that  under 
Sir  Henry  Clinton.  Upward  of  seven  thousand  men  were  stationed  at  Middle- 
brook,  under  the  immediate  commanil  of  General  Washington  ;  the  rest  of  the 
army  was  posted  in  the  highlands  on  the  Hudson,  under  General  M'Dougall, 
and  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  imder  General  Putnam. 

On  the  part  of  the  Americans  tlie  plan  of  the  campaign  was  necessarily  de- 
fensive ;  for  they  had  no  probability  of  making  any  successful  attack  on  the 
British  army  at  New  York  or  Rhode  Island.  That  army  interrupted  the  com- 
munication by  sea,  and  by  the  lower  parts  of  tlu;  Hudson,  between  the  middle 
and  northern  states.  To  preserve  that  communicati(}n  as  far  down  the  Hudson 
as  possible,  was  a  matter  of  mucli  importance  to  the  Americans  ;  and  to  guard 
the  passes  of  the  highlands,  and  command  the  conununication  between  New 
York  and  Albany,  was  always  an  object  of  anxious  attention  to  General  Wash- 
ington. With  a  view  to  secure  those  points,  tiie  Americans  began  to  construct 
fortifications  on  Stony  point,  a  rocky  and  commanding  eminence  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  river,  about  sixty  miles  above  New  York,  andon  Verplanck's  point, 
a  flat  j)eninsula  projecting  a  good  way  into  the  river  on  the  opposite  side.  The 
fort  at  the  last  place,  named  La  Fayette,  was  in  a  state  of  greater  forwardness 
than  the  works  on  Stnny  point. 

Before  the  return  of  General  Matthews  from  his  incursion  into  Virginia,  Sii 
Henry  Clinton  had  planned  an  attack  upon  those  places,  and  the  troops  were 
embarked  for  that  purpose.  On  the  return  of  Matthews,  his  detachment,  with 
out  being  permitted  to  land,  was  joined  to  the  expedition  ;  and  on  the  30th  of 
May  the  whole  armament,  convoyed  by  Sir  George  Collier  and  accompanied  by 
the  connnander-in-chief,  sailed  up  the  North  river.  Next  morning  the  largest 
division  of  tin;  troons.  under  General  V^aughan,  landed  on  tlie  east  bank,  seven 
miles  below  Fort  La  Fayette  ;  the  remainder,  accompanied  by  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton, contimujil  their  course  up  the  river,  and  landed  on  the  west  side,  three  miles 
below  Stony  ooiiit. 

The  ])ositi()n  of  the  Americans  at  Stony  point  was  strong,  but  the  works  weie 
utifinished  ;  and  the  feeble  garrison,  after  setting  tire  to  a  blockhouse  on  the  top 
of  the  eminence,  abandoned  the  place.  The  British  took  possession  of  it  in  the 
afternoon,  and,  in  the  coi;-se  of  the  night,  with  great  labor,  dragged  some  heavy 
cannon  and  mortars  to  the  top  of  the  hill.  At  live  next  morning  a  battery  was 
ready  to  open  on  Fort  La  Fayette.  The  distance  across  the  river  was  about  a 
thousand  yards  ;  and  during  the  day  the  fire  from  the  commanding  summit  of 
Stony  poiit,  and  from  the  armed  vessels  and  gim-boats  in  the  river,  made  a  seik 


304  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

Mble  -ninression  on  the  works  of  Fort  I/.i  Fi.yi'tte.  Duriuir  the  foUowin?  .light 
two  eallevs  passed  up  the  river,  and  anchored  ahove  the  fort,  so  as  to  pievenl 
the  escape  of  the  garrison  hv  water.  Ceneral  Vaughan,  liaving  made  a  long 
circuit,  c.mphnely  invested  the  place  by  land.  Therefore  the  garrison  unahle 
to  maintain  the  post  against  such  a  superior  force,  and  linding  themselves  en- 
closed oti  every  side,  siirren.lered  the  place,  and  Ix-came  prisoners  ol  war.  Mr 
Henry  Clinton  gave  immediate  directions  for  completing  the  fortitications  ot  both 
posts,  and  putting  them  in  a  strong  state  of  d.dence.  m        v    i    .• 

General  Washington  obtained  early  notice  of  preparations  at  New  York  lor 
this  expedition  ;  and,  suspecting  that  it  was  intended  either  against  his  own 
army  at  Middlehrook  or  the  passes  in  the  highlands,  he  put  his  troops  in  mo- 
tion and  ordered  General  Putnam  to  be  ready  to  make  a  rapid  movement  up  I  he 
river  He  strengthened  the  garrison  of  West  Point,  an  important  post  on  the 
Hudson,  some  miles  above  Verplanck's;  and  took  a  strong  position  with  his 
army  in  Smith's  close,  so  as  to  secure  West  Point  on  that  side.  But  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  perceiving  that  no  further  progress  could  be  made  up  the  river,  and  be- 
ing informed  that  Staten  Island  was  threatened  in  his  absence,  alter  garrisoning 
the  posts  which  he  had  taken,  returned  with  his  fleet  and  army  to  New  York 

The  states  of  New  England  were  the  most  populous  m  the  Lnion.  NVith 
them  the  quarrel  originated  ;  and  they  had  given  congress  an  active  and  zealous 
support  The  activity  and  courage  which  they  had  displayed  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  struggle  had  hitherto,  in  a  great  measure,  saved  that  part  of  the 
coimtry  from  being  made  the  theatre  of  war.  But  now  Sir  Henry  Cluiton  de- 
termined to  ravage  the  coast  of  Connecticut;  partly  will,  the  view  ol  drawing 
General  Washington  from  his  strong  position  in  the  highlands  to  protect  the 
towns  near  the  shore,  and  partly  in  order  to  punish  the  inhabitants  for  their  ac- 
tive hostility  to  the  British  government.  For  those  purposes  2  600  men,  under 
the  command  of  Tryon,  formerly  governor  of  the  provmce  of  New  York,  but 
now  a  major-general  in  the  British  army,  convoyed  by  Sir  George  Collier  with 
several  vessels  of  war,  sailed fromThrog's  Neck  in  the  sound,  on  the  4th  of  July, 
and  next  morning  reached  the  vicinity  of  New  Haven,  the  capital  ol  Connec 

"*^0n  the  appearance  of  the  armament,  the  militia  assembled  with  alacrity  and 
in  considerable  numbers.  But  the  troops  effected  a  landing  several  miles  be- 
low the  town :  and,  notwithstanding  a  contmued  opposition,  made  themselves 
masters  of  it,  and  took  or  destroyed  all  the  artillery,  ammunition,  public  stores, 
and  the  vessels  in  the  harbor,  but,  in  a  great  measure,  spared  private  property. 

Next  day  they  reimbarked,  and  sailed  along  the  coast  to  the  village  ol  f  air- 
field The  alarm  was  now  widely  spread ;  the  militia  assembled  m^  greater 
numbers;  and  the  opposition  to  the  troops  was  more  obstinate  than  at  New  Ha- 
ven But  they  forced  their  way  into  Fairfield  ;  and  General  1  ryon,  determined 
if  possible  to  ruin  those  whom  he  was  unable  to  subdue,  not  only  destroyed  all 
the  public  property,  but  laid  the  flourishing  village  in  ashes,  and  treated  many 
unarmed  persons  with  severity.  Such  conduct  disgraced  the  British  arms,  and 
injured  the  cause  which  it  was  intended  to  :,erve.  At  all  times  war  is  a  fearful 
scouree  and  ought  to  be  carried  on  with  as  much  humanity  as  is  consistent  with 
the  attainment  of  the  main  object  in  view.  To  intrust  a  military  force  to  the 
orders  of  an  infuriated  zealot  can  seldom  serve  any  good  purpose. 

The  opposition  increased  as  the  troops  advanced  ;  and  the  towns  of  Norwalk 
and  Greenfield,  at  which  they  successively  landed,  shared  the  same  unhappy 
fate  with  Fairfield.  An  attack  on  New  London,  a  noted  place  of  resort  lor  the 
nrivateers  which  preyed  on  the  British  trade,  was  the  ultimate  object  of  the  ex- 
pedition ;  but,  as  the  resistance  still  increased,  a  formidable  opposition  was 
there  anticipated,  and  it  was  therefore  thought  advisable  to  procure  a  reinforce- 


M,,fs^^?'-.!K^-i-"'&)" 


.)F  THE  AMERICAN  KEVOEKTloN. 


305 


owin?  night 
to  pi  event 
laili!  a  long 
isori,  uniible 
^inselves  en- 
i|'  war.  Sir 
tions  of  both 

ew  York  lor 
nst  his  own 
roops  in  nio- 
•ment  up  the 
t  post  on  the 
iin,  with  his 
ut  Sir  Henry 
iver,  and  br- 
r  garrisoning 
Sew  York, 
fnion.     With 
3  and  zealous 
e  commence- 
it  part  of  the 
y  Clinton  de- 
V  of  drawing 
to  protect  the 
for  their  ac- 

0  men,  under 
ew  York,  but 
!  Collier  with 
le  4th  of  July, 
al  of  Connec- 

h  alacrity  and 
eral  miles  be- 
le  themselves 
public  stores, 
ite  property, 
llagc  of  Fair- 
led  in  greater 
n  at  New  Ha- 
on,  determined 
T  destroyed  all 

1  treated  many 
tish  arms,  and 
var  is  a  fearful 
consistent  with 
iry  force  to  the 

ns  of  Norwalk 
same  unhappy 
resort  for  the 
)ject  of  the  ex- 
Dpposition  was 
re  a  reinforce- 


ment  of  men  iind  a  supply  oi  provisions,  hctore  iittcmpMng  that  place.  For  thi» 
purposf  the  llfi'i  rctnrnfil  to  Hunlinsdon  liay,  in  Eoiij,'  Island  ;  and  Sir  (ioorge 
Collier  repaired  to  Throg's  .Neck,  to  consnli  with  the  coninuinder-in-cliief  of  the 
army  concernintr  their  subsecpuMii  operation.'^. 

The  ravages  conimitieil  oti  the  towns  of  the  coa.st  of  Connecticut  e.veited 
complaints  and  miirmiirin<is  among  the  people,  liecause  they  wen^  left  unpro- 
tected, and  exposed  to  the  ruthless  depredations  of  the  enemy.  But  (Jeneral 
Washiiinitin's  army  was  too  feeble  at  once  to  defend  the  passes  in  the  highlands 
and  afford  protection  to  the  coast.  In  order,  therefore,  to  quiet  the  murmuring 
of  'he  people,  and  to  withdraw  the  British  troops  from  Connecticut,  he  was 
poweifully  induced  to  undertake  some  enterprise  on  the  Hudson;  and  the  posts 
at  King's  ferry  seemed  the  most  eligible  point  for  striking  an  effective  blow. 

General  WashingU)u  procured  good  information  concerning  the  state  of  those 
posts  ;  and  in  |)erson  look  a  view  of  Stony  point,  the  main  object  of  attack. 
From  all  the  information  which  he  obtained,  as  well  as  from  his  own  observation, 
he  was  convinced  that  there  was  little  probability  of  success  against  that  fort  but 
bv  surprise.  The  attempt  was  hazardous  ;  for  Stony  point  is  a  commanding  hill, 
projecting  far  into  the  Hudson,  which  washes  three  fourths  of  its  base.  'I'he 
remaining  fourth  is  in  a  great  measure  covered  by  a  deep  marsh,  commencing 
near  the  river  on  the  upper  side,  and  contimiing  till  it  joins  it  beh)w  the  fort. 
The  marsh  was  passable  only  at  one  place  ;  but  at  its  jimction  with  the  river 
there  is  a  sandy  beach,  which  may  he  passed  at  ebb  tide.  The  fort  stood  on 
the  summit  of  the  hill,  and  was  well  provided  with  artillery.  Several  breast- 
works and  strong  batteries  were  raised  in  front  ol  the  principal  fortification,  and 
there  were  two  rows  of  abatis  about  hall-way  down  the  hill.  The  fort  was  gar- 
risoned by  about  600  men,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Johnson  ;  and  several  ves- 
lels  of  war  were  stationed  in  the  river,  so  as  to  coiiimand  the  ground  at  the  foot 
«<•  the  hill. 


i^«.  i31. —  A^ashington  i.i  Stony  Point. 

k*  midduy,  on  the  15th  o."  July,  the  detachment  appointed  to  surprise  the  fort 
iiidrched  from  Sandy  beach,  fourteen  miles  distance  from  Stony  point,  under  the 
command  of  Generil  Wayne.  The  road  was  mountainous,  rugged,  and  diffi- 
culi  ;  the  heat  was  intense  ;  and  it  was  eight  in  the  evening  before  the  van  of 
ihe  party  reached  Spring  Heels,  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  fort.  There  the  de- 
lachmeiit  halted  and  formed,  while  General  Wayne  and  some  of  his  officers 
proceeded  to  tak«!  a  view  of  the  works.  At  hall-past  el  jven  the  party,  in  two 
columns,  advancf  d  toward  the  gdrrison.     One  hundred  and  fifty  volunteers,  ui> 

20 


306  THE   PlcrOKlAl,    HISTORY 

dur  Colonel  Fleury  and  Major  P.ney,  formed  the  van  of  the  right ;  100  y-.. 
Ie.-rs  led  bv  Mnjor  Stewart,  eoinixtsod  the  van  of  the  lelt.  Both  advanced  >vua 
unloa'ded  nni>s!veis  and  lixrd  hayonets,  and  each  was  preceded  by  a  lorlori:  hope 
«f  twei.tv  men,  conducte-l  bv  Lieutenants  (Jil.bon  and  Knox,  to  remove  liie 
•ibuttisand  otlier  obstructions, 'and  to  open  a  passa^re  for  the  columns  whicli  lol- 
lowed  dose  in  their  rear.  Having  taken  care  to  secure  every  person  on  the 
route  wlio  could  give  information  of  their  approach,  the  columns  reached  the 
marsh  m.discovered.  In  crossin-  i:,  unexp.'cted  difHouIties  occurred  ;  and  it 
w:is  twenty  minutes  past  twlve  when  the  attack  conunenced.  A  tremendous 
discharge  of  musketry  and  grapeshot  immediately  opened  on  the  assailants ; 
but  both  columns  impetuously  rushed  forward  with  fixed  bayonets,  and  without 
firintr  a  sliot  soon  u'ol  complele  possession  ol  the  lort. 

This  was  a  brilliant  exploit ;  and  the  assailants  rained  nobler  and  more  per 
manent  laurels  by  their  humamtv  than  their  bravery  ;  for  although  the  place  was 
taken  bv  storm,  and  the  Am.^rican  troops  wer.j  greatly  exasperated  by  the  mer- 
ciless ravages  and  wanton  deviistaiions  committed  on  the  coast  of  Connecticut 
vet  not  one  individual  of  the  trarnson  sullered  after  resistance  ceased.  Ol  the 
'sjarrison  twenty  men  were  killed  in  the  conlUct,  including  one  captain;  and  sev- 
enty-four  wounded,  among  wiu.m  were  six  oHicers.  The  Americans  ha.l  sixty- 
three  men  killed,  including  two  ..llicers  ;  but  their  wounded  did  not  exceed  hirty 
Of  the  twenty  men  in  Lieutenant  Gibbon's  forlorn  hope,  seventeen  were  eitliei 
killed  or  wotinded.  The  prisoners  amounted  to  5 13,  and  among  them  were  onf 
lieutenant-colonel,  four  captains,  and  twenty  subaltern  otricers.  I  he  military 
stores  in  the  fort  were  considerable.  ,    •      , 

An  attack  on  Fort  La  Fayette  also  was  a  part  ol  the  plan  ;  and  two  brigades 
under  General  M'Dougall,  were  ordered  to  proceed  towar.l  it.  and  to  be  in^readi 
ness  to  attack  it  as  soon  as  thev  should  be   informed  ol    General  Wayne  s  suc- 
cess against  Stony  poini.      lUit  .M'Dougall   was   not   forward   m  time  ;   and  the 
garrison  of  Fort   La  Fayette,  where  Colonel  Webster  cmnmanded,  had  time  to 
prepare   for  resistance.      Wayne  turne.l  the  artillery  of  Stony  point  against  the 
British  ships,  and  compelled  them  to  drop  down  the  river  beyond  the  reach  ol 
his  suns.     He  also   fired  on  Verplanck's  point ;  but  so  great  was  the  distance 
that  his  shot  made  little  impression  on  the  works.     The  critical  moment  for  as- 
saulting Fort  La  Fayette  having  been  lost,  the  plan  of  operation  against  it  wa? 
chaniied       M'Dougall's  detachment  was  intrusted  to  General  Howe  and  he  was 
provided  with  some  battering  camion,  to  make  a  breach  in   the   fortiUcations 
but,  liefore  he  was  rtady  to  act  against  the  place,  he  tound  it  expedient  to  re 

""immediately  after  the  conference  with  Sir  George  Collier,  Sir  Henry  Clintor 
was  informed'of  the  surprise  of  Stony  point,  and  of  the  danger  of  bort  La  fay 
ette.     He  instamly  abandoned  his  design  against  New  London  and  the  coast  ol 
Connecticut;  recalled  his  transports  and  troops   from  the  somid;  moved  his 
army  to  Dobb's  ferry ;  despatched  General  Stirling  up  the  river  with  a  body  of 
troops  in  transports  to  the  assistance  of  Colonel  Webster ;  and  soon  followe.l  in 
person  with  a  larger  force,  in  the  expectation  that  General   Washington   would 
be  induced  to  leave  his  strong  position,  and  hazard  a  battle  lor  the  possession  o 
Stony  point.      But  the  failure  of  the  design  against   Fort    La    tayette    rendered 
the  possession  of  Stony   point  a   matter  of  no  great   importance  ;  becau.se   the 
works  on  Verplanck's  point  effectually  prevented  the  communication  by  Kings 
f.-rry  between  the  states  on  the  east  and  west  of  the  Hudson  ;  and  the  com.nand 
of  that  ferry  copstituted  the  chief  value  of  the   forts   on  Stonv   point  and    Ver- 
planck's NecK,  as,  when  it  was  closed,  the    intercourse    with  /»;«.«««"^'".  «=;;•," 
could  be  kept  up  only  by  a  very  circuitous  route.     Stony  point,  it  wa.  thmiglu, 
could  not  be  retained  without  a  garrison  of  1,500  men  ,  a  lorce  General  Wash 


OF  THE  AMKIUCAN   HKVOI.ITIOX. 


307 


100  v-.^ 
.■anceJ  wuJ 
forlori:  hope 
remove  llie 
s  which  fol- 
rsoii  on  the 
reached  the 
red  ;  and  it 
tremendous 

assailants ; 
and  without 

id  more  per 
le  place  was 
by  the  nier- 
Connecticut 
ed.  Of  the 
,n  ;  and  sev- 
is  had  sixty- 
jxcecd  tbrty 
were  eilliei 
Lsm  were  onf 
rhe  military 

wo  briiiades 
I  be  in  readi 
Vayne's  suc- 
ne ;   and  the 
,  had  lime  to 
It  against  the 
the  reach  of 
the  distance 
jment  for  as- 
jainst  it  wap 
3,  and  he  was 
fortifications 
pedient  to  re 

[enry  Clintor 
Fort  [ja  Fay 
I  the  coast  of 
1 ;  moved  his 
ith  a  body  of 
m  followed  in 
lington   would 

possession  of 
ette  renilered 
,  becaust!  the 
on  by  Kiny;'s 

the  command 
jint  and  Ver- 
eastein  states 
,  waf,  thought, 
Jeneral  Wash 


"A-t 


mgton  could  not  spare  from  his  li.'le  army,  which  w:is  not  move  than  9,000 
strong.  Hesides,  as  the  British  had  the  entire  I'oinmaml  of  the  river,  ilit  y  liiul 
fortified  Stony  jM'int  only  on  the  liiiid  side  ;  but,  if  the  Anifricuns  had  kept  pos- 
session of  the  post,  it  would  have  been  as  necessary  lo  fortify  it  toward  tlie  river 
as  toward  the  laud,  'rinrefore  (leniTal  Wasliingtiui  deeiueil  it  cxiu'difnt  to 
evacuate  the  i/l;ic(!,  after  having  lo  a  certain  extent  demolished  the  works. 

On  his  arrival,  Sir  Henry  (.Miiiton  again  look  possession  of  .Stony  point;  or- 
dered the  fortifications  to  be  repaired  ;  stationed  a  strong  garrison  in  the  fort, 
under  Hrigadier-(ieneral  Stirling  ;  and,  finding  that  (ieuenil  Wasliington  coubi 
not  be  drawn  from  his  strong  position  in  the  highlands,  he  again  sailed  down 
tiu!  river. 

.Scart.elv  had  Sir  (Icorge  Collier,  who  had  accompanied  the  commander-in- 
chief  im  this  ex|)e(lition.  returned  lo  .New  York,  when  he  was  informed  that  a 
fleet  of  armed  vessels,  with  transports  and  troops,  had  sailed  from  Mostou  to  at- 
tack a  post,  whi(di  (Jeiiera'  .M'l.ean  was  eslalilishing  at  Penobscot,  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  province  of  Mussachusetis  IJay.  He  immediately  got  ready  for  sea 
that  part  of  the  naval  force  which  was  at  New  York,  and  on  the  3d  of  .\ugusl 
sailed  to  rcdieve  the  garrison  of  Penoliscot. 

In  ihe  moiilli  of  June,  General  .M'Lean,  who  commanded  the  royal  troops  in 
Nova  Scotia,  arrived  in  the  bay  of  I'enobscol  with  nearly  700  men,  in  order  to 
establish  a  post,  which  might  at  once  be  a  means  of  checking  the  incursions  of 
the  Americans  into  Nova  Scotia,  and  of  supplying  the  royal  yards  at  Halifax 
with  shij)  timber,  which  abounded  in  that  part  of  the  country.  'This  establish- 
ment alarmed  the  government  of  Massachusetts  Hay,  which  resolved  lo  dislodge 
.\I'].,ean,  and,  with  great  promptitude,  ecpiiijped  a  lleia  and  raised  troops  for  that 
purpose.  'I'lie  fleet,  which  consisted  of  fifteen  vessids-of-war,  carrying  from 
thirty-two  to  twelve  guns  each,  with  transports,  was  commanded  by  (.^ommodore 
Saltonstall  ;  liie  army,  amounting  to  between  three  and  four  thousand  miliiia, 
was  under  the  orders  of  General  Lovell. 

General  .M'Lean  chose  for  his  post  a  peninsula  on  the  east  side  of  Penobscot 
bay,  which  is  about  seven  leagues  wide  and  seventeen  deep,  terminating  at  the 
point  where  the  river  Penobscot  flows  into  it.  M'Lean's  station  was  nine  miles 
from  the  bo  lom  of  the  bay.  As  that  part  of  the  country  was  then  an  unbroken 
forest,  he  cleared  away  the  wood  on  the  peninsula,  and  be|';an  lo  construct  a  fori, 
in  which  he  was  assisted  and  protected  by  the  crews  of  three  sloops-of-war 
which  had  escorted  him  thither.  M'Lean  heard  of  the  expedition  against  him 
on  the  2 1st  of  Julv,  when  he  had  made  little  progress  in  the  erection  of  his  for'. 
On  the  2;jlh  the  American  fleet  appeared  in  the  bay  ;  but,  owing  to  the  opptjsi- 
lion  of  the  Ikitish  sloops-of-war,  and  to  the  bold  and  rugged  nature  of  the  shore, 
the  troops  did  not  effect  a  landing  till  the  28lh.  This  interval  .M'Lean  improved 
with  such  laborious  diligence  that  his  fortifications  were  in  :',  stale  of  consider- 
able forwardness.  Lovell  erected  n  battery  within  750  yards  of  the  works  :  for 
nearly  a  fortnight  a  brisk  cannonade  was  kept  up,  and  preparations  were  iHtde 
to  assault  the  fort.  Hut,  on  the  13th  of  August,  I.ovell  was  informed  thu  Sir 
George  Collier,  with  a.  sujierior  naval  force,  had  entered  the  bay  ;  therefore  in 
the  night  he  silently  embarked  his  troops  and  cannon,  unperceived  by  the  gar- 
rison,  which  was  every  moment  in  expectation  of  being  assaulted. 

On  the  approach  of  the  Hritish  fleet,  the  America\is,  alter  some  show  of  jjrej)- 
aration  for  resistance,  betook  themselves  to  flight.  A  general  pursuit  and  unre- 
sisted destruclimi  ensued.  The  Warren,  a  tine  new  frigate  of  thirty-two  guns, 
and  fourteen  other  vessels  of  inferior  force,  were  either  blow  :  up  or  taken.  The 
transports  fled  in  coidusion  ;  and,  alter  having  landed  the  troops  in  a  wild  and 
uncultivated  part  of  the  country,  were  burnt.  The  men,  destitute  of  provisions 
»iid  other  te  pessaries,  had  to  explore  their  way  for  more  than  100  miles  through 


30S 


Till-:   inc'l'OlMAl.   IIISI'OUY 


i„.  the  .et.k.a  country.      Alter  tlu«   m.cc.,..Iu1   exploU   -^.'^    -■  rg.    I^"'^'  '^   ^^ 
turned  to  New  York,  wh.ro  he  resijine.l  the    couuniind  ol    llie   Heel   to    A  imirai 
Sthl   who  had 'arrived   fru.n    Kn«la.ul   w.h    ..n.e   sh^.H-ol-war.  and    wt.h 
provisions,  stores,  and  reinlbrconien'.s  lor  the  arniy. 

'    On   descending   the   nver,   alter   repUtcng   the    garrison  o    ^'  ''[   P"     '^;' 
Henry  C:linton  enca.nped  above  llarUMn,  with  his  upper  posts  at  1^  »«f  "'^g«- 
e  era    Washington  remained  in  his  strong  position  m  the  ''.'«1'>'^"'1;-   ''';;• 
Umlv  d^-t-1-a'....n.eroiis  parties  on  both  sides  ol  '>- --j;. 'j;  ^f^^  ;"  ^^P'', 
3ie  British  foragers,  and  to  restrain  the  intercourse  7^\    »'';•> '^^^      j;;}" 
I  ee    who  conmianded  one  of  those  parties,  planned  a  bohl  and  hazardous  enter 
,.;,';  a!dn."Z  British  post  at  I'owles"  llo..k  on  the  Jersey  bank  ot  the  nver, 
;os.fti::townofNew%ork.     Thai  po.t  was  strongly  lort.hed  an    ol  d.r.- 
cu  t  access   and  therefore  the  garrison  thought  themselves  secure,     '^"l  -^l-y"^ 
Lee  deie  mi  ed  to  make  an  attempt  on  the  place  ;  and  chose  the  'no"""g  "[  J^»» 
ioih  of  Augus.  for  his  enterprise,  when  part  of  the  garrison  was  absent  on  a  lor- 
i^  mr  excursh  . .       Advancing  silently  at  the  head  of  300  men,  the  sentinel  at  the 
Se  mistook      s  party  for  thtt  which  had  marched  out  the  preceding  day   ad 
Iw  rhenUop'ass\mchallenged;  and.  almost  m  an  ^'^f"^l^J^  ^,^ 
block-house  and 'two  redoubts  before  the  alarm  was  f'^"^^  . -^^j-^J";,,^^^^^^^^^ 
com.nan.iant  of  the  post,  with  sixty   Hessians,  entered  "^j  ^«' ""^^■"'  J^^'"'„j 
brisk  tiro  on  the  assailants.     This  gave  an  extensive  ""^^^    '^^  ^^  ^^ 
the  firini/  of  suns  in  New  York,  and  by  the  shipping  m   the  roads  1>["^«<^/"*' 
>  a    Irm  was  widely  spread.     In  order,  therefore,  not  to  hazard  the  loss  of  his 

on  t^e  American  arms,  and  encourage  a  spirit  ot  enterprise  in  l  e  army. 

The  western  front.e'r  of  the  United  States  was  near  J^e  dwelhngs  ol  a  nu^^^^^ 
ber  of  Indian  iribes  ;  and  these  six  nations,  the  Mohawks,  Cayugas,  Tuscaro  as, 
OneSas  Ono,idagas,and  Senecas,  distinguished  by  their  conlederacy,  policy 
a  Id  Serv  posses  ed  the  extensive  and  fertile  country  lying   between  the 
ana  oravery,  possess  From  their  lone  ntercourse  with  Europeans, 

=S!n;:iss,e  S3^"S  SSL  -s:t-.=, 

"To^iTfrfelllynp  of  these  confederated  nations,  aid  of  the  other  Indian 
tribesonhefronTi  of  he  United  States,  had,  from  the  beginning  ol  the  war 
b  en  an  object  of  attention  both  to  the  British  f-ernment  and  to  congress  But 
former  habits  together  with  rum,  presents,  and  promises  .rom  the  agents  at  tne 
Ssh  posts  oiMhe  lakes,  secur;.!  to  the  royal  cause  the  support  ol  the  greater 
pan  of  the  Six  Nations;  while  a  few.  chiefly  the  Oneidas,  espoused  the  inter- 

"  Manv '"  the"  loyalists  who  had  been  obliged  to  flee  from  the  United  States 
took  refuge  imong^he  Indians,  and  at  once  "-f -'I/^^-^Ef  .^^^ 
their  ferocity  Even  the  savages  were  ashamed  ot  their  ruthless  cruelty  .  a  a 
Indian  cl2  have  been  heard  to  declare  that  they  never  would  permit  whie 
me'  to  a  "^^^^^^^^^^  them  m  their  military  expeditions,  because  of  the  horriWe 
enormities  which  they  perpetrated.  Of  the  ■""''1^^«"^,  ""^^/y  j^^,,^  ^ V^,!?. 
whites  we  have  a  striking  instance  in  the  infamous  conduct  of  Butler  -^t  ^^>» 
ming,  dmng  'ite  preceding  campaign.     In  that  lamentable  catastrophe  the  Si. 


30b 


fore  reach 
Uolliur  re- 

0  Ailiniral 
,  iiiid   Willi 

point,  Sir 
iiiysbridge. 
[1h,  l)ui  tre- 
3r  to  check 
jls  Major 
iloiis  eiiler- 
if  the  river, 
md  of  difli- 

Ihit  Major 
ruing  of  the 
•nt  on  a  for- 
ntinel  at  the 
ig  day,  and 

seized  the 
Sutherland, 
lid  began  a 
attack  ;  and 
proved  that 
)  loss  of  his 
if.  wounded, 
e  difficulties 
8  not  his  de- 
eflect  credit 
riny. 

s  of  a  num- 
Tuscaroras, 
racy,  policy, 
between  the 

1  Europeans, 
ized  life,  aitd 
tribes  of  the 
1  some  conn- 
an  abundant 

other  Indian 
r  of  the  war, 
ngress.     But 
agents  at  the 
)f  the  greater 
led  the  inter- 
United  Stales 
h  and  whetted 
cruelty  ;  and 
permit  white 
■  the  horrible 
)f  the   savage 
itler  at  Wyo- 
rophe  the  Six 


1 


310 


TlIK   I'lClOlMAL  lIlSTOliY 


Nwiioiis  liiiil  i.iii'ii  ;iii  ;ii'iive  part,  and  tlicv  wcrt-  iiie(litaliii<!  frt'.«..  hii!4tililiP» 
'I'lifir  lilimily  iiii'iirsioiis  fxcitnl  a  strmin  sciisaiiiiii  tliriniijlioiil  ill  I'liitcd  Sialt^a, 
and  i>r(idiH'i'il  ilir  rcsoluiinii  td  lead  an  ovfrwlii'liniii;;  lorce  into  tlicir  irrritory 
and  to  cIcMtrov  tludr  si'ttli'niiMiis. 

The  lariicst  diNMsion  of  llii^  arniv  t-inplovcd  on  tlial  Ncrvice  assenihlfd  at  U'y 
{tinin<;  on  ii  cliii'l' l)rani')i  ot'  the  SiiM|iit'liaiinali.  Another  division  wliich  had 
winttTi'd  on  tli<'  Moliawk.  inaridicd  under  the  orders  of  (ieiicral  Ciinioii,  and 
joined  the  main  hody  at  tlic  conlhlenee  of  thi'  two  j^real  sources  of  tlie  Suscjue 
liannali.  On  tlie  2-'d  of  Ausiusi  ilie  united  lorce,  ainouniinj;  to  nearly  5,U00 
men,  under  the  eomniand  of  (ieneral  Sullivan,  proceeded  up  the  C'a\u^a,  oi 
western  hraiudi  of  the  last-name<l  river,  which  led  directly  into  tho  Indian  toim- 
try.  The  |)reparations  tor  this  expedition  did  not  escape  tlm  notice  ol'  those 
a<;ainst  whom  it  was  ilirected,  ai'.d  tht!  Indians  seem  lully  to  have  penetrated 
.Sullivan's  plan  of  operation.  Forinidahh^  as  his  lorce  was,  they  determined  to 
meet  him,  and  try  the  lorluiK!  of  a  hatile.  They  were  ahout  1,000  strong,  com- 
manded hy  the  two  Miitlers,  Guy  Johnson,  M' |)onald,  and  IJrnndt.  They  chose 
their  fjroimd  with  jinlijmenl,  and  foriilied  their  camp  at  some  distance  ahove 
Cheiiiimi;,  and  a  mile  in  front  of  \ewtown. 

Tiiere  .Sullivan  attacked  them  ;  and,  after  a  short  hut  spirited  resistance,  they 
retreated  w  ith  precipitation.  The  Americans  had  thirty  inei"  killed  or  wounded  ; 
tho  Indians  left  oidy  eleven  dead  bodies  on  tlie  field;  but  'rey  were  so  discour- 
aged by  this  defeat,  that  they  abandoned  their  villages  ai»d  ."-Ids  to  the  unresist- 
ed ravages  of  tiie  victor,  who  laid  waste  their  towns  aie.l  orchards,  so  that  ihey 
iniilht  have  no  inducement  again  to  settle  so  near  tlie  slates.  The  members  ot 
civilized  society  too  faithfully  imitated  the  savage  enemy  whom  they  assailed, 
ill  all  the  enormities  of  barbarous  warfare. 

This  expedition  gave  little  satisfaction  to  any  of  the  parties  concerned  in 
planning  or  executing  it,  and  Sullivan  resigned  hia  commission,  and  retired  from 
the  public  service.  In  the  course  of  the  cummer,  the  Indians  on  the  southern 
frontier  were  also  severely  chastised  ;  but  although  unable  to  resist  the  force 
sent  against  them,  they  made  some  sanguinary  incursions  into  the  provinces. 

We  have  already  seen  that  .Vdive.ral  Ci  'a.i  d'Estaing,  after  repairing  his  ships 
at  Boston,  sailed  to  the  West  Indies  ;  whither  he  was  followed  by  Admiral  Hy- 
ron  with  the  British  fleet,  having  on  board  a  detachment  of  the  army  at  New 
York,  under  (ieneral  Grant.  The  French  took  the  islands  of  Dominica,  St. 
Vincent,  and  Grenada,  and  spread  a  general  alarm  throughout  the  West  Indies 
The  British  made  themselves  masters  of  St.  Lucie  ;  but  this  did  not  compensate 
for  the  loss  of  the  islands  already  named.  The  season  of  the  hurricanes  ap- 
proached ;  and  D'Estaing,  after  an  engagement  with  the  British  fleet,  saileil 
toward  the  coast  of  North  America. 

Although  General  Prevost  had  been  obliged  to  retire  from  Charleston,  and  to 
abandon  the  upper  parts  of  Georgia ;  yet  so  long  as  he  kept  possession  of  the 
U)wn  of  Savancah,  and  maintained  a  post  at  Beaufort,  South  Carolina  was  much 
exposed  to  hostile  incursions.  Thereforn  Governor  Kutledge  and  General  Lin- 
coln earnestly  pressed  D'Estaing  to  repair  to  the  Savannah,  hoping  by  his  aid 
to  drive  the  British  from  Georgia.  Floinbard,  the  French  consul  at  Charleston, 
joined  in  these  solicitations.  In  compliance  with  their  importunity,  D'Estaing 
sailed  from  Cape  Francois,  in  St.  Domingo ;  and  with  twenty-two  sail  of  the 
line,  and  a  number  of  smaller  vessels,  having  6,000  soldiers  on  board,  appeared 
otJ  the  Savannah,  where  he  captured  the  Experiment,  a  lifty-gun  ship,  and  some 
other  British  vessels. 

(ieneral  Lincoln,  with  about  1,000  men,  inarched  to  Zubly's  ferry  on  tl.e  Sa- 
vannah, but  found  more  difficulty  than  he  had  anticipated  in  crossing  the  rivei 
and  us  marshes.     On  the  evening  of  the  13th  of  September,  however,  he  -each* 


I 


hiistilitiek 
iii'd  Suite*, 
r  mrritory 

led  at  VVy 
which  hiul 
'lillliill,  :iiul 
he  Su»(iuf 
jurly  5,U00 
t;a>iiB!i,  <»' 
iidiaii  I'oiiii- 
,fe  III'  those 
ju'iietraled 
Uriiiiiifd  to 
itroii^,  coiu- 
'I'hey  cliose 
ance   above 

stance,  they 
)r  wounded ; 
:  so  discour- 
the  unresisl- 
so  that  they 
inombers  ol 
ey  assailed, 

oiiceri\ed  in 
retired  from 
the  soutlierii 
si  the   force 
)roviiices. 
ing  his  ships 
Admiral  By- 
■my   ill   New 
)omiiiica,  St. 
West  Indies 
I  compensate 
jrricanes   ap- 
i   fleet,  sailed 

lesion,  and  to 
ession  of  the 
ria  was  much 
General  Lin- 
ig  by  his  aid 
It  Charleston, 
ly,  D'Eslaing 
vo  sail  of  the 
ard,  appeared 
(hip,  and  some 

rry  on  U.e  Sa- 
sing  the  rivei 
jver,  he  -each* 


/ 


sia 


THE  IMC'IOUI  M,  lIlsroilY 


eil  tilt-  •.ouili.  '11  (tank,  ami  eiuiimiM'd  on  ilif   lieiflilH  iif  Khi'm'Zer.  iwi-iiiy-tlin-e 

iiiili'N  I'nim  tilt'  town  of  S;iv,imi:ili      'riitTc  lit;  wiis  joi 1  l)y   ('olimcl  M'liitiwli, 

with  his  .It'iiiiliiiiciii,  Irom  Aimiist:i.  I'lilaHki's  l.-aion  iiUo  arrivcil  iii  raiiiii.  <>n 
llif  HHiiK!  (lay  tliat  Lincoln  passi'il  Zulily's  iV-rry,  D'Hstainy  landed  IJ.OiU)  men  al 
|{i'aiili»'U ;  a'n<l  on  ilie  Uiili  of  St'iitcinhcr  tin-  i-oniliinnl  arinu's  iinilcd  tln-ir 
Mlt■n^Ill  Ik  I'orf  ilif  Ktwn  ol'  SavaniMli.  Tlint  placf  was  liir  hcadiiuartiTs  of 
(it'll. Tal  Prtuisi.  who  c.Hninaiidi"'.  liif  IJritish  troops  in  ihf  soiithiTii  provinci's. 
A|>prfhinilitij,'  no  iiniiH'diati-  ih-.im'r,  lif  had  Wfakfiicd  his  narrison  iiy  fstaldish- 

iny  Moi lislant  tnitposts  in  .Jt'ornia,  and  by  Icavini,;   ('(doiitl    Maitland    with   a 

stioiiir  dttachini'iit  at  Ufauforl,  in  tin;  island  of  I'firt  Koyal  in  South  Carolina; 
lint  on  thf  a|ipi'aran.t'  of  liif  rri'iii  h  llft'l,  he  iminediati'ly  callfil  in  all  his  out- 
posts ,  and  lii'l.irf  tlif  Frtnch  landfd,  or  tiie  Aineriiims  crossed  the  river,  all 
the  Itrilish  dftachint'iits  in  (Jeornia  had  asseinliled  al  iht;  town  of  Savannah,  and 
amounted  to  nearly  2,0(10  men. 

Kven  hcfore  ilit'  arrival  of   liincoln,  D'Kstainjj   had   siiminoned   the   place   to 
Murrenilor.      lint  aliiiouuh  (Jeiieral  I'revost   had  exerted  himself  with  t(reat   ac- 
tivitv  in  sireiititheiiiii!;  the  defences  of  tln3  place  from  the  inoinenl  that  he  heard 
of  the  apiicanince  of  the  French  licet  on  the  coast,  yi!t   his    works   were   incom- 
plete, and  lie  was  desirous  of  uainint:  time,      lit;  reiiuested  a  susjiension  <if  hus 
lilities  for  iwentv-loiir  hours,  wiiich  was  (franted  him      In  that   critical  interval, 
Colonel  .Maiilaiiil,  by  extraordinary  ellorla,  arrived  with  the  garrison  of  IJeauforl 
and  ente-cd  the  tow'n.      Kncoiirajfed  hy  this  accession  of  stren>,'ih,  Ceneral  Pre 
vosi  now  inl'ormetl  Count  d'Hsiaiiii,'  that  he   was  resolved  to  ileteiid  the  place  to 
the  last  ex'.reniitv.      'rile  comtiined  armies  determined  to  liesieiie  the  town,  and 
made  the  neces.saiy  preparatitins  for  that  pur|)o.si!.     Several  days  wi^re  spent  in 
lirinuiny  up  heavy  artillery  and  stores  from  the  (leet ;  and  on  the '-^^M  of  Septein 
her,  tlie  hesiei;ii;^  army  liroke  ground  before  the  town.      Hy  the  Is.  of  October 
thev  had  advanced  within   300  yards  of  the   British  works.     Several  batteries, 
moiiiitiii;r  thirtv-tiirfe  pieces  of  heavy  cannon  and  nine  mortars,  had   for  several 
days  played  incessantly  on  the  garrison  ;  and  a  lloatiiis,'  battery  of  sixteen  j>uns 
hail  also  Opened  upon  it  from  the  river.     Hut  this  cannonade  made  little  impres- 
sion on  the  works. 

The  situation  of  D'Estaing  became  extremely  unpleasant.  More  time  had  al 
ready  lieen  spent  in  the  siege  than  he  had  allotted  for  the  expulsion  of  the  Urit 
ish  troops  fro'm  that  province.  The  French  West  India  islands  were  exposed 
to  danger  in  his  absence  ;  the  tempestuous  season  of  the  year  was  setting  in  ; 
a  superior  IJritish  fleet  might  come  against  him ;  and  his  ollicers  strongly  re- 
mon>trated  against  remaining  longer  in  the  Savannah.  By  continuing  their 
regular  approaches  for  a  few  days  more,  the  besiegers  would  probably  have 
made  themselves  masters  of  the  place  ;  but  these  few  days  D'Estaing  could  no*, 
spare.  No  alternative  remained  but  to  raise  the  siege,  or  storm  the  i)lace.  The 
las^()f  these  the  French  commander  resolved  to  attempt.  For  that  purpose,  on 
the  .Homing  of  the  9th  of  October,  a  heavy  cannonade  and  bombardment  opened 
on  the  town.  Three  thousand  French,  and  1,500  Americans,  led  by  U'Estaiiig 
and  Lincoln,  advanced  in  three  columns  to  the  assault.  A  well-directed  and 
destructive  tire  Irom  the  batteries  opened  upon  them  ;  but  they  resolutely  ad- 
vanced, broke  through  the  abatis,  crossed  the  ditch,  and  mounted  the  parapet 
The  French  and  Americans,  with  emulous  valor,  each  planted  a  standard  on  a 
redoulit ;  but  fell  in  great  numbers  in  endeavoring  to  force  their  way  into  the 
works.  While  the  assailants  were  vigorously  opposed  in  front,  the  batteries 
galled  their  thinks.  Count  Pulaski,  at  the  head  of  200  horsemen,  galloped  be- 
tween the  batteries  toward  the  town,  with  the  intension  of  charging  ••he  garrison 
in  the  rear ;  but  he  fell  mo.-tally  wounded,  and  his  squadron  was  l»«t,T<i.     Th* 


ol    INK  AMKKICAN  H V.V()F,UTI()N, 


31. 


r.  iwi'iity-tlin-e 

llMlfl    M'llltDSll, 

1  III  ( ;im|i.  <'n 
,1  IJ.OOO  men  ill 
t>s  uiiiu"!  tlifir 
lifiulinnrUTs  »»l' 
licru  proviiiifs. 
on  iiy  cstiitili^li- 
liiilliiiul  Willi  ii 
><.iuili  Caroliiiii ; 
.1  ill  ;ill  his  ovil- 
.,1  tilt!  river,  all 
r  Savannah,  and 

.,1  ihu  i'l;ii-e  to 
'  with  t[r»!at  ac- 
iii  ihiit  he  heard 
ks   were   iiiCDm- 
spi'imion  of  hu9 
ciiiiciil  iiiUTviil, 
■isoii ")!'  neiiutorl 
;ih.  (MMicnil  Pre 
tend  lilt'  plaoi!  U. 
ire  the  town,  and 
ys  wt-re  spoilt  in 
ic  'i'.Jdof  Septein 
e  Is.  of  Octoher 
Several  batteries, 
i,  had   tor  several 
V  of  sixteen  ynns 
lade  little  iinpres- 

Morc  lime  had  al 

iion  of  ihe  Ikit 
Is  were  exposed 

was  selling  in  ; 
cers   sironjjly  re- 

coniinning  their 
1   probahly   have 

".slainu;  could  no*, 
lithe  place.     The 

that  purpose,  on 
nhardment  opened 
.ed  by  D'Estaiiig 
well-directed  and 

y  resolutely  ad- 
nted  the  parapet 

a  standard  on  a 
eir  way  into  the 
ront,  the  batteries 
men,  galloped  be- 
rging  «.he  garrison 

■as  l»roli.-w».      Th» 


figor  of  the  assaihiiit:*  lieuivii  to  Jibaiic  .  and,  lUer  .»  desperale  coiiilii:!  <i[  tifiy 
iiiiiiiileH.  they  wt^re  ilriveii  from  the  wtir'^*,  and  souiidcil  a  retreat. 

Ill  tliia  iinsr.eeessfiil  iiii.iek  tiie  Freiuli  lost  700  m«'ii  in  killed  and  woundrd, 
itiiHing  ihi'  liitler  w:»8  ('(.lint  d'l'lstaiiig  himself;  and  iIk  ^m«■ri^■an8  2\0.  As 
the  jiirrison,  ( oiiiisiinif  n\'  inor«  tlian  "2,000  men,  fonglu  lor  ilie  most  part  undt^r 
eover,  their  loss  was  t  omparalively  small. 

Uolli  the  I'Veneh  and  .\mrrieans  displaypil  much  courage  and  steadiness  in 
the  attack  ;  and,  altlioii<>h  niisiu'cessfui,  yet,  instead  of  mutual  accusalions  and 
reproaeii's,  ilieir  respeet  for  eaell  ollie,  was  inert  ased. 

.Mtcr  tins  repulse  no  lii>pt>  of  takini;  the  town  reiii.aiiicd  ;  and  Count  d'Kstaiiig 
haviiij  removed  his  heavy  artillery,  both  armii's  h  Ii  their  grouiul  on  the  evening 
of  the  iHth  of  Octnlier.  D'Kstaing  inarehed  only  two  miles  that  evening,  and 
remained  in  the  same  encampment  next  day,  in  onler  to  cove  General  lancoln's 
retreat,  and  seeure  liim  from  a  |i(!rsuit  by  the  garrison.  The  .Vmericaiis  re- 
erosMd  ijie  .S.'iv.iiiiiaii  al  /iibly's  ferry,  and  look  a  position  in  S  iiilli  (.'ar(dina. 
The  iiiihiia  niiiriied  home.  The  Freiuli,  with  all  their  ariill(>ry,  ammunition, 
and  liauntiije,  embarked  without  ilelay  ;  but  scarcely  were  ihey  on  board  when 
a  violent  ^torm  arose,  which  so  completely  dispersed  the  fleet,  that,  of  seven 
ships  wliifli  the  admiral  ordered  to  llamplon  Uoad  in  Chesapeake  iiay,  one  only 
was  .ilije  to  reacli  that  place. 

I'rom  the  arrival  of  tlu!  F'rench  to  assist  in  the  siege  of  Savannah,  the  Ameri- 
cans had  anticipateil  the  most  brilliani  lesults  ;  and  the  discomfilure  of  the  coin- 
hilled  forces  at  that  (ilacc  spread  a  deep  gloom  ove  the  southern  provinces, 
where  the  canst;  id'  independence  seemed  more  itespeiate  than  al  any  former 
period  of  the  war.  Their  pajier  money  became  more  depreciated;  the  hopes 
ol  the  loyalisiH  revived  ;  and  many  exiles  returned  to  lake  possession  of  their 
estates  ;  but  they  were  soon  obliged  again  to  abandon  their  property,  and  to  seek 
refuse  among  strangers. 

t)ii  bt.'ing  informed  by  Lincoln  of  his  circumstances,  congress  desired  General 
\\  iisliiniiton  to  order  the  North  Carolina  troops,  and  any  other  detachments  he 
could  span;  from  the  northern  army,  to  the  aid  of  the  southern  provinces.  At 
the  same  time  they  assureil  the  inhabitants  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  of 
their  watchful  attention  ;  and  recommended  to  those  states  the  tilling  up  of  their 
coiitiiitMital  regiments,  and  a  due  regard  to  their  militia  while  on  actual  service. 

During  tht;  sieije  of  Savannah,  an  ingenious  enterprise  of  partisan  warfare  was 
executed  by  Colonel  White  of  the  Georgia  line.  Before  the  arrival  of  the 
rrencli  tleot  in  the  Savannah,  a  British  captain,  with  HI  men,  had  taken  post 
near  ilie  river  Ogeeche,  twenty-five  miles  from  Savannah.  At  the  same  place 
were  five  British  vessels,  four  of  which  were  armed,  the  largest  with  Iburteen 
guns,  the  least  with  four  :  and  the  vessels  were  manned  with  forty  sailors.  Late 
at  uiglit,  on  the  30th  of  September,  White,  who  had  only  six  volunteers,  inclu- 
ding ids  own  servant,  kindled  a  number  of  fires  in  ilifferent  places,  so  as  to  ex- 
hibit the  appearance  of  a  considerable  encampment,  practised  several  other  cor- 
responding artifices,  and  then  summoned  the  captain  instantly  to  surrender. 
That  orticer,  believing  that  he  was  about  to  be  attacked  by  a  superior  force,  and 
that  nothing  but  immediate  submission  could  save  him  and  his  men  from  destruc- 
tion, made  no  defence.  The  stratagem  was  carried  on  with  so  much  address, 
iliai  the  prisoners,  amounting  to  141,  were  secured,  and  conducted  to  the  Ameri- 
can |)ost  at  Sunbury,  twenty-five  miles  distant. 

'I'he  failure  of  the  attack  on  Savannah,  with  the  departure  of  the  French  fleet 
from  the  coast  of  America,  presented  a  gloomy  prospect,  and  was  the  forerun- 
ner of  many  calamities  to  the  southern  states.  By  their  courage  and  vigor  me 
northern  provinces  had  repelled  the  attacks  of  the  enemy,  and  discouraged  fu- 
ture attempts  against  them.     But,  although  the  bravo  defence  cf  Sullivan's  isl 


314 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


""Ml'iiiiiinmr 


OF  TllK  AMKKICAX   RKVOMTION.  3,3 

and,  in  177«,  l;a.l  lon>r  ron.-v.d.d  ,hv  iac.  it  vv;,s  now  ,lis.ov,.,v,l  il.,i,  tho  *,>wl. 
ern   colonists   pos..s.s..,|    ....nh.,,  ,1,.  s,rn,u,l.  nor  v,,or  of  tla-tr   ,       /r    ,       ,t 
norli,.          u.  r:.,,„l  .•„„,|u..s,  .,t   (;,.„r.,.,  the  oasv  .n.ircl.  of  I'r.vnst      Vu  v  'rv 
...tes  ot   Lharlesto,,.  a.,,1  th.-  tttnid  l.d.av.or  of  n.'anv  of  th.  .■. ,s        v       ^Z 

vu.,.ra,.ie  pan  c^'  the  m.on,  J  i^x' T  i!:^^^:' !;;::;  "'j.;'r 
.1..  a„e,.,io,.  or  the  Hnt.sh  co,,:;;.;!::;:^;^:^;^';:;';!;,;.;::!;;;;::'-^  -'''"'^''-- 

>>avaniiali,  tlio  cliief  town  of  Cciiriri-i    vvi>c  i..  tl.  .  1       1       .1      r.      •  , 
.uui  had  been  .ucep.V.iiy  de,e..iej'Sn:a  i:!-;!;;":  l^i  1^F;'XI:^ 
Amencans;  and    therefore    S,r  Henry  Clinton   resolved   ,0   ,.  in   posses"  o,." 
(  ha.  estonaso.the  capital  of  South  Carolina,  whieh  ^v..tdd  %ve  '  mn  t        '    n 
"i-ind  01  all  the  southern  parts  of  the  Union.      Uavin-  made  the  n.... 
ara.i.,ns,  he  sailed   from   New  York  on  the  -^Gth  ,     f).         I  "*  "''^^•'0'  prq. 

Adnnral  Arbuthnot,  hut  dtd  not  arrive  al  Sv^m^ir.l      H      o  ')  ;:;;r"^-hl 
voyap  was  ,en,pestuons  :   sotne  of  the  transports  and  victualler    were  Lt  1 
ers  siiattered,  and  a  tew  taken  by  the  American  cruisers       Vr.wt    If  o  ' 

and  draught  horses  perished.     ()ne  of  the  .  u    nor,     wluch     a    I?         '  ''""''-^ 
irotn   the   fleet,  was   brought   into   Chariest;:  3"^^  S','':;"  ^''Sth 
prisoners  gave  the  first  certain  notice  of  the  destination  of         e.^    .'   ,  on         "" 
As   .soon   as   1     was   known   that  an    arnvin.enl  was  fitlinc,  on   a    New  York 
many  suspected  that  the  southern  states  w-^re  t,.  1...   •,  . ..  ;i    i '^      \         ,        ^^"^' 
.".l»|.|.v  „„„„e  „r  .t,„erican  ,.,n,   ,  ,  ■  ".iu  ul   .ll ^r'^™,;':,'  ,""-''  '?'  "'" 

off  :;?;^;^-;;:.r;L=is=:£^S  r='- 

I'l"  a  leeble  force,  an.l  to  increase  it  was  not  easv  •   f«     h^  n  I  ™''^ 

was  in  a  state  of  great  depreciation-t      S'vor^om.vth'r   ''''"'  """"'^ 
were  reluctant  again  to  repair  to  the  stan.iar  1    of  th^ir  cl  lU      Th^ 

■  he  e    l''^"''  '  """"''•  ""'  '''"'^'"^  '"^""^  'he  protracted  ;tru  'le 

:":i';,:::;;:-'';::;;;sN;,:r£;;::„s^ 

ni'iital  troons  of  North  r-.r,.lin..  ..„!  \r     •  Congr-ss  ordered    the   conti- 


J13 


TllK  PICTORIAL  HlSTCMiY 


& 


iS>"  S3 


OF  TIIK   AMI:RIC.\\   K1:voI,I   TION.  317 

iime  ha,l  been  n^o-ssarilv  sp.nr  :,t  S;,va„„,,l,,  „  wms  ,h,.  Ihhof  f-VI,ruarv,  1780. 
before  h«  lan,le,l  m,  S,.  John's  islun,!,  >lur.y  n.il.-s  soiul.  Iru.n  (Jl.ul.sio,.-.  Had 
he  even  then  mard,..,!  rapidly  u|.,.n  ihc  town,  h.  «onl.l  pn.bahlv  have  entered  it 
without  much  opposHM.n;  hut,  nuu^Hul  oC  h.s  r.-pulse  m  177(i.  his  proi^ress  was 
inarUd  by  a  wary  cireunuspectio.i.  Uv  procecU.,!  bv  the  islands  ol  St.  John 
and  St.  James    while  part  ol   his    fleet  advanced  to  b'lockade  the  harbor.     Ho 

u  1.1  ] ,  1 00  men  Iron,  Savannah,  and  ne^dc'te.!  nothing  ,hat  could  ensure  success. 
Meanwhile  (governor  Hutledge,  with  such  of  his  council  as  he  could  conveni- 
ently consult,  was  invested  with  a  dictatorial  authoniv,  and  empowered  to  do 
everythinsT  necessary  lor  the  public  j-ood,  except  taking  awav  the  life  of  a  citi 
zen  without  lepl  irial.  'I'he  assembly,  alicr  dele^atm..  to'the  governor  this 
power  till  ten  days  alter  its  next  session,  dissolved  itself 

(iovrnor  Rutledge  and  General  Lincoln  were  indefat'iga!,le  in  improvin-  the 
■line  which  the  s  o^v  progress  of  the  royal  army  alTorded  them.     Six  hundred 
slaves  were  employe.l  m  constructing  or  rej)airiiig  the  fortifications  of  the  town  • 
vigorous  though  not  very  successful  measures  were   taken  to   bring  the  militia 
uito  the  held  ;  and  all  the  small  detachm.nts  of  regular  troops  were  assembled 
m  the  capital.      I  he  works  which  had  b. .  n  begun   on   Charleston    Neck,  u  hen 
General    1  rcvost   threatene.l  the  place,  were  resumed.     A    chain   of  redoubts 
.mes,  and  Imu-ries    was  formed  between  the  Coc.per   and    Ashley.      In  front  of' 
t>ach  (lank  the  works  were  covered  by  swamps  extending  from  the  rivers  ;  these 
opposite  swamps  were  connected  l,y  a  canal  ;  between  the  canal  and  the  works 
were  two  strong  rows  of  abatis   and  a  ditch  double  picketed,  with  deep  holes  at 
8ho  t  distances,  to  break  the  columns  in  case  of  an  assault.     Toward  the  water 
works  were  thrown  up  at  every  place  where   a  landing  was  practicable.     The 
/es.sels  intended  to  defend  the  bar  of  the  harbor  having  been  found  insufTicient 
■or  itiat  purpose,  their  guns  were  taken  out  and  planted  on  the  ramparts,  and  the 
.eamen  were  stationed  at  the  batteries.     One  of  the  ships,  which  was  not  dis- 
mantled,  was  p'aced   m   the   river  Cooper,  to  assist  the  batteries ;  and  several 
essels  were  sunk  at  the  inouth  of  the  channel,  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  the 
ro>  tl  navy.     General  Lincoln  hoped  that,  if  the  town  could  be  for  a  while  de- 
lende.l,  such  reinforcements  would  arrive  from  the  north  as,  together  with  the 
mdit  a  of  the  state   would  compel  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  raise  the  siege,     As  the 
fegidar  troops  in  the  town  did  not  exceed  1,400,  a  council  of  war  found  that  the 
garrison  was  too  weak  to  spare  detachments  to  obstruct  the  progress  of  the  royal 
army.     Only  a  sma  1  party  of  cavalry  and  some  light  troops  were  ordered  to 
hover  on  its  left  flank  and  observe  its  motions. 

While  those  preparations  for  defence  were  going  on  in  Charleston,  the  Brtt- 

ish  army  was  cautiously  but  steadily  advancing  toward  the  town.     As  he   pro- 

ceeded,  Sir  Henry  C  inton  erected  forts   and  formed  magazines  a.  nroper  sta- 

ons,  and  was  carelul  to  secure  his  communications  with  those  forts  and  with 

le  sea.     All  the  horses  of  the   ikitish  army  had  perished  in  the  tedious  and 

Tilu^Tv  '"'"  ^'''  V"""!  "'  ^"'"'"'"'^  =  l^"^'  ""  '^'-'i"*^'  '"  S»"'h  Carolina, 
^ir  licnry  Clinton  procured  others  to  mount  his  dragoons,  whom  he  formed  into 
i  light  corps   under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton.     That  officer 

.Trm,ll,?'"f  ^  ''"'""r  V'  '"■•'"■'"*''   '•'"   '"'''  ^"'^  "'■  'he  army,  and  in  dispersing 
emilma.  In  one  of  his  excursions  he  fell  in  with  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wash- 

S'witii  bss'*'"'"''"  """  ""'""""  "'"  "^^''"'''  ^««''n«"'-  ^'"l  *^ho  beat  hi.n 
On  the  20th  of  March  the  British  fleet  under  Admiral  A rbuthnot,  consisting  of 
»  If  .P  .  •''  ^","'.'  '"^^  "'"  '"""y-'"""'-  e«^l',  four  of  thiny-two  each,  and  a., 
fT  r.  '  P^^rV*'"  ''"■■  '"  '■'■°"'  "'■  K'-'hellio..  roa.L  and  anchored  in  Five- 
rattiom  hole     The  American  naval  force,  under  Commodore  Whipple,  retreated 


OF    IllK   AMKKIC.W    U  KVol.I.TlO.N.  319 

first  10  Sullivan's  usiaiul.  ami  .irfrwanl  u,  Chariot!,,,,,  wtn-re,  as  already  men. 
.i..ne,l  tlu-  ships  were  .iis.nanil.-.l  a.i.l  tho  irews  fmpl..v,.,l  „„  tho  norks.  On 
the  9ih  of  April  Admiral  Arl.uthnot,  takin;;  Mdvanta;;,.  of\  stron-  south.-rly  wind 
and  a  (lowing  tide,  pass.d  Fort  Moultrie,  and  anchore.l  just  without  reach  of  the 
yuus  o(    Lharlestou,     The    fort   kept  up  a  heavy  lire  on  the  fleet  while  passinir 

n  \t  'Ifo'."*' r  >r«T  '» '''n''"''''  •""'  '^'"'"'  "^  ^^""'"'"'J  'wenty-seven  men.' 

On    he  <!9th  of  March,  the  Hritish  arruy  reached  Ashley  river,  arid  crossed  it 

ten  miles  above  the  town  without  opposition  ;   the   srarrison   being  too   weak  to 

disptite  the  passage.     Having  brought  ov.t  his  artillery,  baggage,  and  stores  Sir 

Henry  Clinton  marched  down  Charleston  Neck  ;  and,'on  the  night  of  the  Is'l  of 

'1"'  ''5"'*^  ground  at  the  distance  of  8,000  yards  from  the  American  works 

I  lie  lortidcations  ot  Charleston  were  constructed  under  the  direction  of  .Mr 

,aui..oy,  a   French   engineer  of  reputation    in    the  American  service  ;  and   al- 

hoiigh  n.,t  calculated  to  resist  regular  siege,  were  by  no  means  contemptible :  and 

he  Ikiiish  general  made  his  approaches  in  due  f,»m.     Meanwhile  the  garrison 

received  a  reinforce  nent  of  700  continentals  under  General  Woodford  ;  and  after 

this  accession  of  strength,  amounted    to  .somewhat  more   than  2  000  reeular 

tro..ps,  besides  1000  militia  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  citizens  of  Charleston 

(.overnor   Kutle.Ige  made   ev.ry  eflbrt  to  raise  the  militia  of  the  province,  but 

with  little  success  ;  lor  not  more  than  200  of  them  were  in  the  capital 

On  ihe  yth  ol  April,  the  Hritish  commander  finished  his  first  parallel,  forming 
an  obn,|ue  line  between  the  two  rivers,  from  600  to  1,100  yards  from  the  Ameri- 
can work.s  and  mounted  his  guns  in  battery.  He  then,  jointly  with  the  admiral. 
Mimmoned  General  Lincoln  to  surrender  the  town.  Lincoln's  answer  was  mod- 
est and  firm  :  "  Sixty  days,"  said  he,  "  have  passed  since  it  has  been  known 
Hat  your  intentions  against  this  town  were  Imstile,  in  which  time  was  afforded 

0  a handori  it ;  but  duty  and  inclination  point  to  the  propriety  of  supporting  it  to 
tile  last  e.\tr''n;ty.  •     1        .  11  5 

On  rec.  ivii.^  this  answer,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  immediately  opened  his  batter- 
es  ;  and  his  hre  was  soon  felt  to  be  superior  to  that  of  the  besieged.     Hitherto 

v.?,'r'!"r I 'T"''!'""  ''"^'  ^''^''""""^'y  """h  "f  'he  Cooper  was  open,  and  a  post 
«.is  established  10  prevent  the  investiture'  of  the  town  on  that  side  After  the 
summons,  Governor  Rutledge,  with  half  of  his  council  left  the  town,  for  "the  pur- 
pose ol  exercising  the  functions  of  the  executive  government  in  the  state,  and  in 

1  e  hope  ol  being  able  to  bring  a  large  body  of  the  militia  to  act  on  the  rear  or 
-It  Hank  of  the  besieging  army :  bm  the  militia  were  as  little  inclined  to  imbodv 

tlifinselves  as  to  enter  the  town.  ^ 

For  the  purpose  of  maintaining  the  communication  wii'    the  country  north  of 

Xnr',      '^^^^'■'''"S  '•'«  '5'"i«»'  'oragers,  and  of  proi,  cting  supplies  on  their 

V,  r  1.  '?  1 "'"'  '^'""'f?"  '""''''■>'•  ""•'•^'"  ^'*^"»'^*'''  ""g«^  hlid  passed  the 
r    er  .uid  taken  post  at  Monk's  corner,  thirty  miles  above  Charleston.     Posts  of 

'1  itu  were  establishe.l  between  the  Cooper  and  Saiitee,  and  at  a  ferry  on  the 
.  sl-iiam..d  nver    where  boats  were  ordered  to  be  collected  in  order  to  (ficilitate 

"'  Swr       ''"\'-'r"'""'.  V,'  f •'""''•  ^'  "ecessary  to  evacuate  the  towr,.    Hut 

I  eUntish  general  defeated  all  those  precautions;  for  as  the  possession  of  the 

..  r  or   eudered  the  occupation  of  the  forts  to  the  southward  unnecessary,  Sir 

Unr)  Clint.,,,  resolved  to  call  in  the  troops  which  had  been  employed  i,',  that 

!.n    ' '?  ,  '^f  <=»nj'nunicaiion  of  the  garrison  with  the  country  to  the  north- 

11.:  ,  ;J"  ,7'nplete  the  investiture  of  the  town.  For  those  piirposes,  as  the 
ct  Nvas  unable  to  enter  the  river  Coope.,  he  deemed  it  necessary  to  dislodge 

marfernf  ?»"  '"^'"'1  "'"*  ::'"P'7«J  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton  to  beat  up  the 
o  sh       ,        '^"'''■^  ^'  ^''""'^ **  '=°"'^'-     Conducted  during  the  nght,  by  L  ne- 

^rosla»e  through  unfrequented  paths,  Tarleton  proceeded  toward  the  American 

post ,  and,  although  the  comman.lerof  the  party  had  taken  the  precaution  of  pla- 


Mi» 


w 


OK  THK  AMKiaCA.N   liKVOI^UTION. 


321 


cinp  senliiipls  a  mile  in  I'roiir  i)f  liis  siiition,  and  dI'  kcfpini;  liis  Imrst's  saildled 
and  bri'lled,  yet 'I'arlcloii  advanced  so  ra])idly  that,  uolwiilisiaiidinii  tlic  alarm 
wa?  jrivt-n  by  tlie  outposts,  lie  lit'sjan  the  attack  hel'ore  the  Americans  could  put 
'heinsclves  in  a  posture  ol'  dclcncc,  killed  or  took  ahout  thirty  of  tlicin,  and  dis- 
•jeised  the  rest.  The  arrival  of  three  thousand  men  from  New  York  ureallv  in- 
ifeased  tlie  strength  of  the  hesiejiers. 

The  second  parallel  was  completed  ;  and  it  daily  became  tnore  apparent  thai 
the  jjarrison  must  ultimately  submit.  An  evacuation  of  the  town  was  proposed, 
and  General  Linculn  seems  to  hare  been  favorable  to  the  measure  ;  but  the 
garrison  could  scarcely  have  escaped,  and  the  pritu'ipal  inhabitants  entreated  the 
general  not  to  abandon  ibent  to  the  fury  of  the  enemy. 

'I'he  British  troops  on  th(^  norUi  of  the  Cooper  were  increased,  and  (^ornwal- 
lis  was  appointed  to  command  in  that  quarter.  On  the  20111  of  .\pril,  General 
Lincoln  again  called  a  council  of  war  to  deliberate  on  tlie  measures  to  lie 
adopted.  The  council  recommended  a  capitulation  ;  terms  were  oH'ered,  but  re- 
jected ;  and  hostilities  recommenced.  After  the  besiegers  had  begim  their  third 
parallel,  Colonel  Henderson  made  a  vigorous  sally  on  their  right,  which  was  at- 
tended with  some  success  ;  but,  owing  to  the  weakness  oi  the  garrison,  this  was 
the  only  attempt  of  the  kind  during  the  siege. 

After  the  fleet  passed  it,  Fort  Moultrie  became  of  much  less  importance  than 
before,  and  part  of  the  garrison  was  removed  to  Charleston.  The  admiral,  per- 
ceiving the  unfinished  state  of  the  works  on  the  west  side,  prepared  to  storm  it. 
On  the  7th  of  May,  everything  being  ready  for  the  assaidt,  he  summoned  the 
garrison,  consisting  of  200  men,  who,  being  convinced  of  their  inability  to  de- 
t^end  the  place,  surrendered  themselves  prisoners-of-war,  without  firing  a  gun. 
On  the  same  day,  the  cavalry  which  had  escaped  from  Monk's  corner,  and  which 
had  reassembled  under  the  conmiand  of  Colonel  White,  were  again  surprised 
and  defeated  by  Colonel  Tarleton.  After  Cornwallis  had  passed  the  Cooper, 
and  made  himself  master  of  the  peninsi  la  between  that  river  and  the  Santee,  he 
occasionally  sent  out  small  foraging  parties.  Apprized  of  that  circumstance, 
(>olonel  White  repassed  the  Santee,  fell  in  with  and  took  one  of  those  parties, 
and  despatched  an  express  to  Colonel  Buford,  who  commanded  a  regiment  of 
new  levies  from  Virginia,  requesting  him  to  cover  his  retreat  across  the  Santee 
at  Lanneau's  ferry,  where  he  had  ordered  some  boats  to  be  collected  to  carry  his 
party  ovor  the  river.  Colonel  White  reached  the  ferry  before  Buford's  arrival, 
and  think  ng  himself  in  no  immediate  danger,  halted  to  refresh  his  party.  Corn- 
wallis, having  received  notice  of  his  incursion,  despatched  Tarleton  in  pursuit, 
who,  overtaking  him  a  few  minutes  after  he  had  halted,  instantly  charged  him, 
lulled  or  took  about  thirty  of  the  party,  and  dispersed  the  rest. 

Charleston  was  now  completely  invested ;  all  hopes  of  assistance  had  been 
cruelly  disappointed  ;  and  the  garrison  and  inhabitants  were  left  to  their  own 
resources.  The  troops  were  exhausted  by  incessant  duty,  and  insufficient  to 
man  the  lines.  Many  of  the  guns  were  dismounted,  the  shot  nearly  expended, 
and  the  bread  and  meat  almost  entirely  consumed.  The  works  of  the  besiegers 
were  pushed  very  near  the  defences  of  the  town,  and  the  issue  of  an  assault  was 
extremely  hazardous  to  the  garrison  and  inhabitants.  In  these  critical  cir- 
cumstances General  Lincoln  summoned  a  council  of  war,  which  recommended 
a  capitulation.  Terms  were  accordingly  proposed,  ofTering  to  surrender  the 
town  and  garrison,  on  condition  that  the  militia  and  armed  citizens  should  not 
tK  prisoners-of-war,  but  should  be  allowed  to  return  home  without  molesta- 
tion These  terms  were  refused  ;  hostilities  recommenced,  and  preparations 
lor  an  assault  were  in  progress.  The  citizens,  who  had  formerly  remonstrated 
against  the  departure  of  the  garrison,  now  became  clamorous  for  a  surrender. 
In  this  hopeless  state.  General  L  incoln  offered  to  give  up  the  place,  on  thu  teriu« 

31 


3\i-i 


THE  I'lCTOKlAF.  HISTORY 


whicli  Sir  Iltiiry  ('lintt)ii   had    formerly   proposed.     The  olFer    was   aciejn,-d, 
and  tlie  cii|)iiul:iii()n  was  signed  on  the  12th  of  May. 

The  town  anil  fortitic-atioiis,  the  sliipi)iii!j,  artillery,  and  all  public  stores,  wer« 
to  he  given  up  as  thev  iheii  were  ,  tlie  garrison,  consisting  of  the  continental 
troopst  niditia,  sailors,  and  citizens  who  'lad  borne  arms  during  the  siege,  were 
to  he  prisoners-oi'-war  ;  the  garrison  were  to  march  out  of  the  town,  and  lay 
down  their  arms  in  front  of  the  works,  but  their  drums  were  not  to  beat  a  Brit- 
ish march,  and  their  colors  were  not  to  1)6  uncased ;  the  continental  troops  and 
sailors  we're  to  be  conducted  to  some  place  afterward  to  be  agreed  on,  wher'.- 
thev  were  to  be  well  supplied  with  wholesome  provisions  till  exchanged  ;  the 
militia  were  to  he  allowed  to  go  home  on  parole  ;  the  olFicers  were  to  retain  their 
arms,  baggage,  and  servants,  and  they  might  sell  their  horses,  but  wcit  not  per- 
mitted to  t^aCe  them  out  of  Charleston' ;  neither  the  persons  nor  property  of  the 
militia  or  citizens  were  to  be  molested,  so  hmg  as  they  kept  their  parole. 

On  these  terms  the  garrison  of  ('harlest(m  marchel  out  and  laid  down  theii 
arms,  and  General  Leslie  was  appointed  by  the  Uritish  commander-in-chief  to 
lake  possession  of  the  town.  The  siege  was  more  obstinate  than  bloody.  The 
besiegers  had  76  men  killed,  and  189  wounded;  the  besieged  had  92  killed, 
and  US  wounded;  about  twenty  of  the  inhabitants  were  killed  in  their  houses 
by  random  shots.  The  number  of  prisoiuus  reported  by  the  British  commander- 
in-chief  amounted  to  upwanl  of  .5,000,  exclusive  of  sailors  ;  but  in  that  return  al! 
tlie  freemen  of  the  town  ca|)ahle  of  bearing  arms,  as  well  as  the  continental  sol- 
diers and  militia,  were  included.  The  number  of  continental  troops  in  the  town 
amounted  only  to  1,777,  about  500  of  whom  were  in  the  hospital.  The  effective 
strength  of  the  garrison  was  between  2,000  and  3,0C0  men.  The  besL^ging 
army^consisted  of  about  9,000  of  the  best  of  the  British  troops. 

.Vfter  the  British  got  possession  of  the  town,  the  arms  taken  from  the  Ameri- 
cans, amounting  to  5,000  stand,  were  lodged  in  a  laboratory,  near  a  large  quan- 
tity of  cartridges  and  loose  powder.  By  some  means  the  powder  exploded  and 
blew  up  the  house  ;  and  the  burning  fragments,  which  were  scattered  in  all  di- 
rections, set  fire  to  the  workhcmse,  jail,  and  old  barracks,  and  consumed  them. 
The  British  guard  stationed  at  that  place,  consisting  of  fifty  men,  was  destroyed, 
and  alxnit  as  many  other  persons  lost  their  lives  on  the  dis-nstrou-s  occasion. 

The  fall  of  Charleston  spread  a  deep  gloom  over  the  aspect  of  American  af- 
fairs. The  southern  armv  was  lost ;  and,  although  small,  it  could  not  soon  be 
replaced.  In  the  southern  parts  of  the  Union  there  had  always  been  a  consider- 
able number  of  persons  friendly  to  the  claims  r(  Britain.  The  success  of  her 
arms  roused  all  their  lurking  partialities,  encouraged  the  timid,  drew  to  the  Brit- 
ish (aiise  all  those  who  are  ever  ready  to  take  part  with  the  strongest,  and  dis- 
couraged and  intimidated  the  friends  of  congress. 

Sir"  Henry  Clinton  was  resolved  to  keep  up  and  deepen  the  impression  on  the 
public  mind,  by  the  rapidity  of  his  movements  and  the  appearance  of  his  troops 
in  different  parts  of  the  country.  For  that  purpose  he  sent  a  strong  detachment, 
under  Cornwallis,  over  the  Santee,  towanl  the  frontier  of  North  Carolina.  He 
despatched  a  second,  of  inferior  force,  into  the  centre  of  the  province  ;  and  ?ent 
a  third  up  the  Savannah  to  Augusta.  These  detachments  were  instructed  to 
disperse  any  small  parties  that  still  remained  in  arms,  and  to  show  the  people 
thit  the  British  troops  were  complete  masters  o**  South  Carolina  and  Georgia. 

So(m  after  passing  the  Santee,  Cornwallis  was  informed  that  Colonel  Buford 
was  lying,  with  400  m»  u,  in  perfect  security,  near  the  border  of  North  Carolina 
He  immediately  despatched  Colonel  Tarleton,  with  his  legion,  to  surprise  that 
party.  After  performing  a  march  of.  104  miles  in  fifty-four  hours,  Tarleton,  at 
the  iiead  of  700  men,  overtook  Buford  on  his  ma.ch,  at  the  Waxhaws.  and  or 
4«red  1  m  to  surrender,  offering  him  the  same  terms  which  had  beep  ^anie-.!  'u 


ras  aci  ejnf  J  , 

ic  stores,  were 
le  coiitiiicnUil 
le  siege,  weru 
tuvvn,  and  lay 

0  beat  a  Brii- 
tal  truops  Hiiil 
3eJ  on,  whti'' 
(changed  ;  the 
3  to  retain  their 
.  wcifc  not  per- 
jroperiy  of  tlie 

parole. 

id  down  tlieii 
der-in-chief  to 
bloody.  The 
had  92  killed, 
ri  their  houses 
ih  commander- 

1  that  return  al! 
[continental  sol« 
)ps  in  the  town. 

The  etfective 
The  besiii'ging 

rom  the  Ameri- 
r  a  large  quan- 
ir  exploded  and 
itered  in  all  di- 
unsumed  them. 

was  destroyed, 
;  occasion, 
f  American  af- 
jld  not  soon  be 
)een  a  consider- 

success  of  her 
rew  to  the  Brit- 
ongest,  and  dis- 

ipression  on  the 
ce  of  his  troops 
)ng  detachment, 
I  Carolina.  He 
i^ince  ;  and  ?ent 
re  instructed  to 
how  the  people 

and  Georgia. 

Colonel  Buford 
North  Carolina 
to  surprise  tluu 
urs,  Tarletoii,  !ii 
ixhaws,  and  or 

beep  qjante'.!  'u 


OK    I'llK   AMKKI(\\\  RKVOM'TION. 


3?.i 


ihe  i;lltl"i^on  of  ("harlesion.  On  Miiliird's  refusal,  'l"arii'io!i  iiisiautly  fhargi'd  iIim 
p;ir'y,  wlio  were  dispirited,  and  luiprcpared  for  such  an  unset.  Most  ot  tliein 
threw  down  their  nrins,  and  made  no  resistance  ;  iiut  a  few  eoiilinufd  lirin^  ; 
and  an  iiulisei  iininale  slaughter  ensued  of  tlmse  wiio  liad  subnulted  as  well  iis 
of  those  who  resivled.  Many  beuijed  for  cjuarter,  hut  no  iiiiarter  was  ijiveu 
'I'uihiiins  f/iiiirt''  came  proverbial  tlirouu;hout  the  I'nion,  ami  rendered  some 
siiliseijueiit  coiiliii'ls  more  fierce  and  bloody  than  they  would  otlierwise  h.ave 
been.  Mui'ord  and  a  few  horsemen  forced  their  way  ihroiinii  tiie  enemy  and  es- 
C:i|)ed  ;  some  of  the  iiifanlry.  also,  who  were  somewhat  in  advance,  saved  them- 
selves bv  lliiflil  ;  liiit  till'  regiment  was  almost  annihiiateil.  Tarleion  stated  that 
I  I :i  were  killed  on  ihe  spot ;  150  let't  on  parole,  so  iiadly  wounded  that  they 
voiiid  not  be  removed  ;  and  53  brought  away  as  prisoners.  The  i>ruial  slaugiiter 
on  ths  occasion,  and  the  violation  of  every  principle  of  humanity  and  the  riglits 
of  the  vamiiiished,  excited  much  indignation  in  .Vinerica. 

After  the  defeat  of  Buford,  there  were  no  parties  in  South  Carolina  or  (ieorgia 
c:ipable  of  resisting  the  roy.il  detachments.  The  armed  force  of  coagress  in 
those  provinces  seemed  annihiiateil  ;  and  the  spirit  of  opposition  among  tlie  in- 
habitants was  greatly  subdued. 

In  order  to  secure  the  entire  submission  of  that  part  of  the  country,  military 
detai'liineiits  were  stationed  at  the  most  coimnanding  |)oiiits  ;  and  measures  were 
inirsiied  for  settling  the  civil  administration,  and  for  consolidating  tin,'  compiest 
of  the  jirovinces.  So  fully  was  Sir  Henry  ('lintoii  convinced  of  the  subjugation 
•lithe  comitrv,  iind  of  the  sincere  submission  of  the  inhabitants,  or  of  their  ina- 
bility to  resist,  that,  on  the  3d  of  .lime,  he  issued  a  proclamation,  in  which,  alter 
stating  thai  all  persons  should  take  an  active  part  in  settling  and  securing  his 
majesty's  gin  eminent,  and  in  delivering  the  country  from  that  anarchy  which  for 
Bome  lime  had  prevaileil,  he  discharijed  from  their  |)arole  the  militia  who  were 
prisoners,  except  those  only  who  had  been  taken  in  C'harleston  and  Fort  Moul- 
trie, and  restored  them  to  all  the  rights  and  duties  of  inhabitants  ;  he  also  de 
clared  that  such  as  should  neglect  to  return  to  their  allegiance  should  be  treated 
as  enemies  and  rebels. 

It  might  easily  have  been  foreseen  that  the  i)roclamation  was  to  awaken  liie 
resentment  and  alienate  the  jitTections  of  those  to  whom  it  was  addressed.  Many 
of  the  colonists  had  submitted  in  the  hope  of  iieing  allowed,  under  the  shelter  of 
the  llritisb  government,  to  attend  to  their  own  aliairs  in  a  slate  of  peaceful  Iran- 
quiliity  ;  but  the  |)roclaination  dissipated  this  delusion,  and  opened  their  eyes  to 
their  real  situation.  Neutrality  and  peace  were  what  they  desired  ;  but  neutral- 
ity and  peace  were  denied  them.  If  they  did  not  range  themselves  under  the 
standards  of  congress,  they  must  appear  as  militia  in  the  royal  service.  The 
colonists  sighed  for  peace  ;  but,  on  linding  that  they  must  fight  on  one  side  or 
the  other,  they  preferred  the  baniiiTs  of  their  country,  and  thought  they  had  as 
good  a  right  to  violate  the  allegiaiici^  and  parole  which  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had 
imposed  on  them,  as  he  had  to  change  their  state  from  that  of  ;.iisoners  to  tiri 
of  British  suiijects  without  their  consent.  They  imagined  tliat  the  proclamation 
released  ''.em  from  all  antecedent  obligations.  Not  a  few  without  any  pretence 
of  reasoning  on  the  subject,  deliberately  resolved  to  make  professions  of  submis- 
sion and  allegiano;  to  the  British  government  so  long  as  they  found  it  conve- 
nient, but  with  the  resolution  of  joining  the  standards  of  their  country  on  the  first 
o|)portunity.  Such  duplicity  is  always  to  be  reprobated  ;  but  the  unsparing  ra- 
pacity with  which  the  inhabitants  were  plundered  by  the  foriegn  soldiery  and 
iiired  Hessians  made  many  oi  them  imagine  that  no  means  of  deception  and 
vengeance  were  unjustifiable. 

Hitherto  the  French  fleets  and  troops  had  not  afforded  much  direct  assistance 
c  the  Americans,  but  they  had  impeded  and  embarrassed  the  operations  o(  ih» 


1i4 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


Fio.  13S.— A  Kronrh  Kusileer. 

Brtisn  commanJer-in-clnef.  He  hii.l  iritonde.l  to  sail  against  Charleston  so 
S  a. ThTmonth  of  September,  1779;  hut  the  expected  appearance  of  Count 
d'Estatng  onThe  southern  coast  had  -letain.-d  hi.n  at  New  York  t.l  the  laite, 
panof  December.  It  was  his  intention,  after  the  reduction  o  ^•'■"■leston  ng- 
Lusly  to  employ  the  whole  of  his  force  in  the  ^^l^J'-f "«"  "^  ^'1%^' f  th'  town* 
inces,  hut  information,  received  about  the  time  of  »hc^""«'"''^^  "^  '^;,.,T"; 
that  Monsieur  de  Ternay,  with  a  fleet  and  troops  from  France  was  expected  on 
the  American  coast,  deranged  his  plan,  and  ,n.  need  h.m  to  "^f  ""^  )«  ^^J /^^^J 
with  the  greater  part  of  his  army  ;  leaving  Earl  Cornwalhs  a  the  lie'^'l  "f/-000 
men  to  prosecut'e  the  southern  conquests.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  sailed  from 
Charleston  on  the  5th  of  .hine.  ,  r    .     <•     n   ,k.  An.Priran 

\fter  .  -e  reduction  ol  Charleston,  end  the  entire   defeat  of  all  the  An  encan 
detachments  in  those  parts,  an  unusual  calm  ensued  for  six  ^^^'^'^f  „^,f;;/";;i"; 
the  cause  of  his  s..vereign,  and  imagining  that  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  were 
reannexed  to  the  British  empire  in  sentiment  as  well  as  in  '^PPearance,  Cornwall 
lis  meditated  an  attack  on  North  Carolina.      Impatient,  however,  ^^f  ^^'J'^ 
officer  was  of  repose,  he  could   not  carry  his  purpose  into  munediate  execu- 
tion.    The  great  heat,  the  want  of  magazines,  and  the  impossibility  of  subsis  • 
i„g  his  army  in  the  field  before  harvest,  compelled  him  to  pause.      ^lU  the  inter, 
val  was  not  lost.     He  distributed  his  troops  in  such  a  manner  in  South  Caro Una 
and  the  upper  parts  of  Georgia,  as  seemed  most  favorable  to  the  eu.stment  of 
voung  men  who  cmild  be  prevailed  on  to  join  the  royal  standard  ;  he  ordered 
companies  of  royal  militia  to  be  formed;  and  he  maintained  a  corre.spondence 
witKch  of  the  inhabitants  of  North  Carolina  as  were    riend  y  to  the  Brit^h 
ratise.     He  informed  them  of  the  necessity  he  was  under  of  postponing  the 
expedition  into  their  country,  and  advised  them  to  attend  to  their  harvest  and 
to  remain  quiet  till  the  royal  army  advanced  to  support  the. a.     Eager,  how- 
ever  to  manifest  their  zeal,  and  entertaining  sanguine  hopes  of  success,  tliey  dis- 
regarded his  salularv  adv'  :e.  and  broke  out  into  premature  insurrections,  wlucb 


OF  TIIK  AMKHICAN   lUlVOl.l   Th  "N. 


»3fl 


Charleston  so 
araiico  of  Count 
k  till  the  laitei 
Chiirk'ston,  vig- 
e  adjacent  prov- 
er  of  the  town, 
ivas  expected  on 
rn  to  New  York 
»i  head  of  4,000 
ton   sailed  from 

II  the  American 
;ks.     Zealous  in 
nd  Georgia  were 
irance,  Cornwal- 
r,  as  that  active 
ninediate  execu- 
ibility  of  subsist- 
.     But  the  inter- 
II  South  Carolina 
he  enlistment  of 
lard  ;  he  ordered 
I  correspondence 
lly  to  the  British 
if  postponing  the 
their  harvest  and 
HI.     Eager,  how- 
success,  they  dis- 
urrectious,  which 


a 


were  vigorously  resisted  and  gfiicrjilly  supjirrssfd.  Iliii  nup  pariv  of  tht-m, 
iiinouiiiitig  to  800  men  under  a  ('oldiii-i  Mry:iii,  iiiarclird  down  tlie  S  iidkin  I'j  a 
Hriiisli  post  at  ilif  Chiriws,  and  .iHfrwani  rcarhfii  Cauiilcn. 

Having  made  the  necpssary  dispo>iti(ins,  Cornwailis  intrusted  the  eonunaiid 
in  thf  frontier  to  Lord  Rawdon,  and  rrtnrncd  to  ("harlcston,  in  ordi-r  to  organ- 
ize ihi"  civil  goveriimrnt  of  the  province,  nnd  to  ••stalilisli  sucli  regulations  as 
rirruinstances  reipurt-d.  Hut  that  active  olFicer  si  owcii  himself  more  a  soldier 
iljan  a  politician.  .Military  government  is  necessarily  a  system  of  despotism 
and  coercion,  which  is  otl'ensive  to  persons  who  have  heeii  accustomed  to  exer- 
cise their  own  judjiinent  in  the  regulation  of  their  conduct.  Instead,  however, 
of  eudcavorinL'  '•>  resjain,  by  kindness  and  conciliation,  the  good  will  of  a  people 
whose  affections  were  alienated  from  the  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged,  Corn- 
wailis attemptei!  to  ilrive  them  into  allegiance  by  harshness  and  severity.  In- 
deed, many  of  'ho  Uriilsh  oHicers  vi«!wed  the  .Vnu'ricaiis  merely  in  the  light  of 
rciiels  and  traitors,  whose  lives  it  was  induljiem-e  to  s|);ire  ;  treated  them  not 
only  with  injustice,  but  with  insolence  and  insidl  more  inl<derable  than  injustice 
itself;  and  exi  rcised  a  rigor  which  greatly  increased  the  miseries,  without  pro- 
moting the  letfitimate  [)urpo8fS,  of  war. 

Hy  the  capitulation  of  Charleston  the  citizens  were  prisoners  on  parole ;  but 
suicessive  proclamations  were  published,  each  abrids;iiiir  the  privileges  of  pris- 
oners more  than  that  which  had  gone  before.  .\  board  of  police  was  established 
for  the  administration  of  justice,  and  before  that  board  British  sulyecis  were  al- 
lowed to  sue  for  debts,  but  prisoners  were  denied  that  privilene  ;  they  were  lia- 
ble to  jjrosecution  for  debts,  but  had  no  security  for  what  was  owing  them,  ex- 
cept the  honor  of  their  debtors  ;  and  that,  in  many  iustaiu'cs,  was  found  a  feeble 
guarantee.  If  they  complained,  they  were  threatened  with  close  coiifjuemenl  • 
numi>ers  were  imprisoned  in  the  town,  and  others  consiiiued  t(j  dungeons  at  a 
distance  from  their  families.  In  short,  every  method  except  that  of  kindness 
and  conciliation,  •  .  resorted  to  in  order  to  compel  the  |)eoj)le  to  become  British 
subjects.  A  few  who  had  always  been  well  affected  to  the  royal  cause,  cheer- 
fully returmd  to  their  allegiance  ;  and  many  followed  tiie  same  course  from  con- 
venience. To  abandon  their  fani'lies  ami  estates,  and  encounter  all  the  priva- 
!:'ins  of  fugitives,  required  a  degree  of  patriotism  and  fortitude  which  few  pos- 
sessed. 

In  that  melancholy  posture  of  American  affairs,  many  of  the  ladies  of  Charles- 
ton displayed  a  remarkable  degree  of  zeal  and  intrepidity  in  the  cause  of  their 
country.  Th(^y  gloried  in  the  appellation  of  rebel  ladies,  and  declined  invita- 
tions to  public  entertainments  given  by  the  British  ofllcers  ;  but  crowded  to 
prison  ships  and  other  places  of  confinement  to  solace  their  suffering  country- 
men. While  they  kept  back  from  the  concerts  and  assemblies  of  the  victors, 
they  were  forward  in  showing  sympathy  and  kindness  toward  American  officers 
wherever  they  met  them.  They  exhorted  their  brothers,  husbands,  and  sons,  to 
an  unshrinking  endurance  in  behalf  of  their  country,  and  cheerfully  became  the 
inmates  of  their  prison  and  the  companions  of  their  exile  ;  voluntarily  renoun 
ciiig  aflliKMice  and  ease,  and  encountering  labor,  penury,  and  privation. 

For  some  time  the  rigorous  measures  of  the  British  officers  in  South  Carolina 
seemed  successful ;  and  a  deathlike  stillness  prevailed  in  the  province.  Th» 
clangor  of  arms  ceased,  and  no  enemy  to  British  authority  appeared.  The  peo- 
ple of  the  lower  part  of  South  Carolina  were  generally  attached  to  the  revolu- 
tion ;  but  many  of  their  most  active  leaders  were  prisoners.  The  fall  of  Charles- 
ton, and  the  subsequent  events,  had  sunk  many  into  despondency,  and  all  were 
overawed.  This  gloomy  stillness  continued  about  six  weeks,  when  the  symp- 
toms of  a  gathering  storm  began  to  shov/  themselves.  The  oppression  and  in 
suits  to  which  the  people  were  exposed  highly  exasperated  them  :  they  repented 


OF'I'IIK  AMKUHAN  UK  V  ( tU'TlON. 


3J1 


tit  »[i;illiv  «  illi  wliii'li  tlicy  IkhI  seen  lln-  sir^c  i>\  ('liiirli'Niini  (Mrrifil  nil,  ;iiii| 
fill  tinit  ilic  lull  1)1  liii'ir  r;i|iii;il,  iii.straii  ol'  iiiiriiiliiiiiiL;  niili'tv  ami  rur:il  ir;uii|ijil- 
litv.  iiH  ilii'V  litiil  liiiiilly  :iiiiii'i|iatt'(l,  was  nnlv  ilii'  rorcruiiiicr  of  iiiMtloiii  cxactioiiM 
ami  (ipjrrs.siv*'  sfrxlicM.  I'cat  I'liil  mihI  uiuliHiiirlM'd  nnilraliiy  was  *vliat  tlirv 
ilcMiri'il  uiiil  what  tlicy  hail  i'X|>t'ri)'il .  Init  when  they  rniiinl  thniiM'lvfs  com- 
pcllfl  111  ti<ilit.  ilii-y  I'liiiMi'  to  jiiiii  till'  )in>viiicial  liamiirs.  and  llic  most  daring 
iimIv  w.iiii'd  an  ii|i|iiiriiiniiy  to  hIhiw  ilii'ir  linMidiiy  to  liii'ir  new  inaNtiTs. 

Suili  an  (i|i|)iiriuniiy  Niiiin  prt'scnlcd  it-ndt.  In  ihr  fnd  nt"  March,  (It'iiiTal 
U  iishinuiiin  ili'spiiii'hi'il  ihr  ininpN  ot' Maryland  and  Dtdawiirt-,  with  a  rt'irinicnt 
III  ariilliry,  inidt-r  the  Marim  df  Kalb,  ii  vctiTiui  (icrnian  titliccr,  who  iiad  f  nly 
»'nL''iL'»'d  in  liir  Anirric  in  scrvifr,  to  ninl'iirri'  tho  siiutiicrn  arniv.  'I'liat  df- 
ta'.dnncMi  nit'l  willi  nian\  iilisirnitiuns  in  its  priiL'rcss  sowtliwiird  Sncli  was  lli« 
(lpr;in:;i'il  slate  of  the  Ainrricaii  linanci's.  that  it  lonld  nni  Ik^  put  in  mnliiin  wlicii 
llic  (irdir  was  jjivcii.  Alter  setlih},'  out,  it  marrhed  lliroiiyli  Jersey  and  I'cnn- 
syhaiiia,  einharked  at  the  head  of  KIk  rivi-r,  was  conveyed  liy  water  to  Peturs- 
biirtili  in  \  iriiiiiia.  and  proceeded  ilieiiee  toward  the  place  of  its  destination.  Miit 
as  no  iiiiuazines  had  lieeii  provided,  and  as  |)rovisions  could  witli  diliicnitv  he 
olitained.  the  iiiar(di  of  the  deiachineni  thriiiii;ii  North  ( 'aridina  was  ijreatly  re- 
tarded. Instead  ol' advancini;  rapidly,  the  troops  were  oiiliyed  to  spread  tlioiu- 
si  Ives  over  the  country  in  small  parlies,  in  order  to  collect  corn  and  to  get  it 
L'roiind  tor  their  daily  sulisistence.  In  this  way  they  proceeded  slowly  through 
the  ii|)|)er  and  more  fertile  parts  <d'  North  Carolina  to  Hillshorounh,  and  were 
pri'|iarinji  to  mari'h  hy  Ooss  creek  to  Salishury,  where  they  expected  to  be 
joiiieil  hy  the  militia  of  .North  Carolina. 

The  ap|)r()ach  of  this  detachment,  tofelher  with  information  that  trreat  exer- 
tions were  makini;  to  raise  Iroojjs  in  Virginia,  encouraged  the  irritation  wliidi 
the  rigorous  measures  of  the  Uriiish  ollicers  had  occasioned  in  South  (Carolina  ; 
tiiid  nnmhers  of  the  iiihal)itants  of  that  province,  who  had  lied  from  their  estates 
and  taken  refuge  in  North  C"roIina  and  Virginia,  informed  of  tlu^  growing  dis- 
contents in  their  native  province,  and  relying  on  the  support  of  retrular  troops, 
assembled  on  the  frotiiier  of  North  Carolina,  .\hout  "200  oi' those  refugees  chose 
Colonel  Sunipter,  an  old  continental  oflicer,  as  their  leader.  On  the  advance  of 
the  British  into  the  upper  parts  of  South  Carolina,  this  gentleman  had  lied  into 
.North  (Carolina,  but  had  left  his  family  behind.  Soon  after  his  departure  a  Brit- 
ish party  arrived,  turned  his  wife  and  family  out  the  door,  and  burnt  his  house 
and  evi'vy  img  in  it.  This  harsh  ami  unfeeling  treatment  excited  his  bitterest 
reseMHteiii.  which  operated  with  the  more  virulence  by  being  concealed  under 
ib«!  fiwr  veil  of  patriotism.  At  the  head  of  his  little  band.,  witliout  money  or  maga- 
tmvik  lid  bill  ill-provided  with  arms  and  ammunition,  Sumpter  made  an  irrup- 
•wi  wio  South  Carolina.  Iron  implements  of  husbandry  were  forged  by  coin- 
mo*  blacksmiths  into  rude  weapons  of  war ;  and  pewter  dishes,  procured  from 
private  families  and  melted  down,  furnished  part  of  their  supply  of  balls.  This 
little  band  skirmished  with  the  royal  militia,  and  with  small  parties  of  regular 
troops  ;  sometimes  successfully,  and  always  with  the  active  courage  of  men 
lighting  for  the  recovery  of  their  property.  Sometimes  they  engaged  when  they 
had  not  more  than  three  rounds  of  shot  each  ;  and,  occasionally,  .some  of  them 
were  obliired  to  keep  at  a  distance,  till,  by  the  fall  of  friends  or  foes,  they 
could  be  furnished  with  arms  and  ammunition.  When  successful,  the  field  of 
battle  supplied  them  with  materials  for  the  next  encounter.  This  party  soon  in- 
creased to  600  men  ;  and,  encouraged  by  its  daring  exertions,  a  disposition 
^nunifested  itself  throughout  South  Carolina  again  to  appeal  to  arms.  Some 
companies  of  royal  militia,  imbodied  under  the  authority  of  Cornwallis,  deserted 
to  Sumpter,  and  ranged  themselves  under  his  btandards.  The  British  com- 
mander beheld  this  change  with  surprise  ;  he  had  thought  the  battle  wrn.and 


3.^8  THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 

ihe  southern  provinces  co.npletelv  subdued  ;  bul,  to  his  astonishuient  saw  thai 
pns.Sres  were  unavailing,  ami  that  the  work  yet  remained  to  ,e  accom- 
plished.     He  was  obliged  to  call  in  his  outposts,  and  to  lorm  his  troops  inro 

'""'mu  Cornwallis  was  soon  threatened  by  a  more  formidable  enemy  than  Sump 
ter  who  though  an  active  and  audaciou.  leader,  commanded  only  an  irregula, 
a'dSbit  band,  and  was  capable  of  engaging  only  m  destiltorv  enterprises 
C onuress  sensible  of  the  value  and  importance  of  the  provinces  which  the  British 
SSun  "nade  every  eflbrt  to  reinforce  the  southern  army;  and.  fully  aware 
o?,he  efficacy  of  public  opinion  and  of  the  influence  of  high  reputation,  on  the 
13 ii  of  June  appointed  General  Gates  to  command  it.  He  had  acquired  a 
inill.,^d  nTiiie  by^is  triumphs  over  lUirgoyne  ;  and  the  peop  e,  whose  opinions 
are  formed  by  appearances,  anticipated  a  success  equally  brilliant. 

On    ecei 'ng  notice  of  his  appoiv..ment  to  the  command  ol  the  southern  army^ 
Genervl      ates%roceeded  sou'thward  without  delay,  and  on  the  25th  of  July 

rea  he  the  camp  at  Buffalo  ford,  on  ^^-P  ,"-^' --^'^  ^-T  T^Vnhoml  oSo 
Baron  de  Kalh  wiVh  respect  and  cordiality.  The  army  consisted  of  about  2.000 
men  and  considerable  reinforcements  of  militia  from  North  Carolina  and  Vir- 
Svvere  expected.  In  order  that  he  might  lead  his  troops  through  a  more 
5  endful  country,  and  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  magazines  and  hosp'tals  at 
convenient  point!,  De  Kalb  hlid  resolved  to  turn  out  ot  the  direct  road  to  Cam- 
de  But  Generd  Gates  determined  to  pursue  the  straight  route  toward  he 
Bdtish  encampment,  although  it  lay  through  a  barren  country,  which  afforded 
but  a  scanty  subsistence  to  its  inhabitants.  •  i    .v.„ 

On  tL  27th  of  July  he  put  his  army  in  motion,  and  soon  experienced  the 
difficulties  and  privations  which  De  Kalb  had  been  desirous  to  avoid.  The 
amy  wa^  ^^i^Ay  ""  l''^"  cattle,  accidental  y  found  in   the 

woodsTand  thl  supply  even  of  that  mean  food  was  very  limited.  Meal  and 
Torn  were  so  scarce  that  the  men  were  compelled  to  use  unripe  corn  and  peach- 
es^isTead  of  bread.  That  insufficient  diet,  together  with  the  intense  heat  and  un- 
hea It  y  clirnate,  engendered  disease,  and  threatened  the  destruction  of  the  army. 
Seal  Gates  at  length  emerged  from  the  inhospita^,Ie  region  of  pine  barrens 
sanrhlls.tnd  swamps;  and'af.er  having  •'^-^^d  a  junction  wuh  Genera 
Caswell  at  the  head  of  the  militia  of  North  Carolina  and  a  small  body  of  tr-ops 
under  eutenant-Colonel  Porterfield.  he  arrived  at  Clermont,  or  Rugely's  Mills, 
"n  the  Sof  August,  and  next  day  was  joined  by  the  mihtia  of  Virginia, 
amountinff  to  700  men,  under  General  Stevens.  •     j  „„  „,. 

On  heyday  after  General  Gates  arrived  at  Rugelys  Mil  s  he  received  an  ex- 
press    1  Sumpter,  stating  that  a  number  of  the  militia  of  South  Carolina  had 
oi'ied  h  m  on  the  west  side  of  the  Wateree,  and  that  an  escort  of  clothes,  am 
S^^^^^  the   garrison  of  Camden   was  on  Us  way  fro^^^ 

Ninety-Six,  and  must  pass  the  Wateree  at  a  ford  covered  by  a  small  fort,  not 

'"G±r"s  immediately  detached  100  regular  infantry  and  300  milma  of 
North  Carolina  to  reinforce  Sumpter,  whom  he  ordered  to  reduce  the  fort  and 
^Scept  he  convoy.  Meanwhile  he  advanced  nearer  Camden,  with  the  inten- 
tion otlkhig  a  portion  about  seven  miles  from  that  place      For  that  purpose 

0  put  his  army  in  motion  at  ten  in  the  evening  of  the  15th  o    August,  having 
sen  lis  sick  heavy  baggage,  and  military  stores  not  immediately  wanted,  under 
rgiadto  Waxhais.  ^On  the  march,  Colonel  Armand's  lep«"  ^-"P-f./o^^ 
ian-   Porterfield's  light  infantry,  reinforced  by  a  company  ot  picked  men  fro. 
Stevens^      gade,  nrarching  in  Indian  files.  200  yards    rom  the  road,  covere 

heri"htflankof  helegioiV;  while  Major  Armstrong  s  light  infanry  of  North 
ciro  fna  militia,  reinforced  in  like  manner  by  General  Caswell,  m  the  same  or 


i 


limeiil,  tiiiw  thai 
!(!  to  l)e  accom* 
n  his  troops  iii?o 

eniy  than  Sump 
)nly  an  irregulai 
torv  enterprises 
vhioh  the  British 
and,  fully  aware 
eputation,  on  the 

had  acquired  a 
,  whose  opinions 
mt. 

e  southern  army. 
[le  25th  of  July 

was  received  by 
ed  of  about  2,000 
Carolina  and  Vir- 
s  through,  a  more 
s  and  hospitals  at 
ect  road  to  Cam- 
route  toward  the 
y,  which  afibrded 

experienced  the 
i  to  avoid.  The 
dly  found  in  the 
iiited.  Meal  and 
e  corn  and  peach- 
tense  heat  and  un- 
iction  of  the  army. 
1  of  pine  barrens, 
ion  with  General 
nail  body  of  troops 
or  Rugely's  Mills, 
nilitia  of  Virginia, 

lie  received  an  ex- 

auth  Carolina  had 

urt  of  clothes,  am 

on  its  way  from 

a  small  fort,  not 

ind  300  militia  of 
3duce  the  fort  and 
en,  with  the  iuten- 
For  that  purpose, 
,  of  August,  having 
itely  wanted,  under 
gion  composed  th. 
I'  picked  men  fron 
1  the  road,  covered 
t  infantry  of  North 
ell,  in  the  same  or- 


OF  TilK  A.MFHICAN   RKVOH'TfUN. 


329 


ifer,  covered  the  loCt.  The  Maryland  ilivision,  followed  by  the  North  Carolina 
and  Virginia  militia,  with  the  artillery,  composed  the  main  i)ody  and  rearguard, 
n.  J  the  volunteer  cavalry  were  equally  distnlnited  on  the  flanks  of  the  baggage! 
The  American  army  did  not  exceed  4,000  men,  only  about  900  of  whoin"  were 
regular  troops,  and  70  cavalry. 

On  ilu'  advance  of  General  Gates  into  South  Carolina,  Lord  Rawdon  had 
called  in  his  outposts,  and  concenlra'ed  his  force  at  Camden.  Informed  of  the 
appearance  of  the  American  army,  and  of  the  general  defection  of  tlie  country 
bitvveen  the  Pedee  and  the  Black  river,  Cornwallis  quitted  Charleston  and.  re- 
paired to  Camden,  where  he  arrived  on  the  same  day  that  General  Gates  reached 
C/lernioiit. 

The  British  force  was  reduced  by  sickness,  and  Cornwallis  could  not  assem- 
ble more  than  '.i.OOO  men  at  Camden.  That  place,  though  advantageous  in  other 
respects,  was  not  well  adapted  for  resisting  a'l  attack  ;  and  as  the  whole  coun- 
try was  rising  against  him,  Lord  Cornwallis  felt  the  necessity  of  either  retreating 
to  Charleston,  or  of  instantly  striking  a  decisive  blow.  If  he  remained  at  Cam'^ 
den,  iiis  dilficulties  would  daily  increase,  his  connnunication  with  Charleston  be 
eiKlaMg(!red,  and  the  American  army  acquire  additional  strength.  \  retreat  to 
Charleston  would  be  the  signal  for  the  whole  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  to 
rise  in  arms  ;  his  sick  and  magazines  must  be  left  behind  ;  and  the  whole  of  the 
two  provinces,  except  the  towns  of  Charleston  and  .Savarmah,  abandoned.  The 
conse(iuein-es  of  such  a  movement  would  be  nearly  as  fatal  as  a  defeat.  Corn- 
wallis, therefore,  although  he  believed  the  American  army  considerably  stronger 
than  what  it  really  was,  determined  to  hazard  a  battle  ;  and,  at  ten  at  night,  on 
the  loth  of  August,  the  very  hour  when  General  Gates  proceeded  from  Rugely's 
.Mills,  about  thirteen  miles  distant,  he  marched  toward  the  .\merican  camp. 

About  two  in  the  morning  of  the  16th  of  August,  the  adva  iced  guards  of  the 
hostile  armies  unexpectedly  met  in  the  woods,  and  the  tiring  instantly  began. 
Some  of  the  cavalry  of  the  American  advanced  guard  being  wounded  by  the  first 
discharge,  the  party  fell  back  in  confusion,  broke  the  Maryland  regiment  which 
was  at  the  head  of  the  column,  and  threw  the  whole  line  of  the  army  into  con- 
sternation. From  that  first  impression,  deepened  by  the  gloom  of  night,  the  ill- 
disciplined  militia  seem  not  to  have  recovered.  In  the  rencounter  several  prisoners 
were  taken  on  each  side  ;  and  from  them  the  opposing  generals  acquired  a  more 
exact  knowledge  of  circumstances  than  they  formerly  possessed.  Several  skir- 
mishes happened  during  the  night,  which  merely  formed  a  prelude  to  the  ap- 
proaching battle,  and  gave  the  commanders  some  notion  of  the  position  of  the 
hostile  armies. 

Cornwallis,  perceiving  that  the  Americans  were  on  ground  of  no  great  extent, 
with  morasses  on  their  right  and  left,  so  that  they  could  not  avail  themselves 
of  their  superior  numbers  to  outflank  his  little  army,  impatiently  awaited  for  the 
returning  light,  which  would  give  every  advantage  to  his  disciplined  troops.  Both 
armies  prepared  for  the  conflict.  Cornwallis  formed  his  men  in  two  divisions  ; 
ihat  I  .  the  right  was  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Webster,  that 
on  tht  left  under  Lord  Rawdon.  In  front  were  four  field-pieces.  The  71st 
iegimei  t,  with  two  cannon,  foimed  the  reserve  ;  and  the  cavalry,  about  300  in 
number,  were  in  the  rear,  ready  to  act  as  circumstances  might  require. 

In  the  American  army,  the  second  Maryland  brigade,  under  General  Gist, 
lormed  the  right  of  the  line  ;  the  militia  of  North  Carolina,  commanded  by  Gei. 
eral  Caswell,  occupied  the  centre ;  and  the  militia  of  Virginia,  with  the  light  in- 
lantrj'  and  Colonel  Armand's  corps,  composed  the  lelt ;  the  artillery  was  placed 
between  the  divisions.  The  first  Maryland  bvigade  was  stationed  as  a  reserve 
200  or  300  yards  in  the  rear.     Baron  de  Kalb  commanded  on  the  right ;  thr 


M 


,3^,  THE    PICTOKIAI.    IMSTOIIY 

milif.a  generals  were  at  the  head  of  .heir  respective  troops  ;  and  General  C.a... 

,    i,  ,ai„.     Th.  far,he,  ,h,  y  fle.l  .h,  n»,e  ;h;y  '''X;';^;!.  "^^^  Sj  oVLle. 

hi,  !«»k  .ucl  nation  to  'H»Tr';'''''^'"ThrtceStvefa"  wounds,  and 

individual  endeavored  to  save  himself  in  the  best  way  ne  was  "oie. 
RuherfodrtheNorlh  Carolina  militia  wa.  made  pri».ner ;  »J  -J""' /^ 
wllgon,  a  peat  p.,.  ot  the  hagg.g.,  military  store.,  small  arm.,  and  .11  the  ar 

•'"ari jrr:%'"nr  oirr =.  o^iet.^^ 


J 


General  (Jatf« 

bsier,  with  thw 
)sler  advanced. 

volunteer  mil- 
Irilish  soldiers, 
a  shout.  The 
ithout  even  dis- 
unahle  to  rally 
nilitia  of  North 
iw  o(  either  di- 
Seld.  Tarleton 
jiiives.     Gal«!s, 

10  rally  iheni, 
i  Gates,  in  de- 
le  field  of  battle. 
)andoned  by  the 
irmy,  and  being 
;  whole  BrUish 
the  example  ol 
defended  the:n- 
!  when  Colonel 
red  and  e'.eadily 
ual  obstinacy  on 
b's  division  ;  but 
ia ;  and  therefore 

in  pursuit  of  the 
n  at  once  in  front 
real  measure  in- 
ornwallis  brought 
jn,  and  began  to 
rorous  charge  at 
,ds.  His  aid-de- 
meral,  announced 
generously  expo 
eral  wounds,  and 

attention  and  as- 
expired  in  a  few 
.  to  his  memory. 
)er8ed  through  the 
sir  men,  and  every 
LS  able.  General 
:;  and  about  200 
ms,  and  all  the  ar- 

,ted  and  dispersed, 
evening  in  which 

the  Wateree,  took 
soners.  On  hear- 
Bil  Gates,  Sumpter, 
d  prisoners  up  the 
,th.  Corn wallis  sent 
■suit  of  him.    Thai 

of  his  infantry  uu- 


Ol-    Till-:   AMKIilCAN   UKVOIJ'TIO.N. 


.'{Jl 


able  to  keep  pace  with  him,  he  advaiicci!  \mi1i  iilioui  100  iinulry  and  60  of  the 
most  vigorous  of  the  infantry  ;  and  nn  ilie  ISili  .sudiU'iily  iiml  um'xpcctedly  came 
ujion  the  Americans. 

Siimiiter,  havirij,'  marched  with  great  tlilig.nce,  thoiiuiii  himself  beyond  thd 
reach  of  danger  ;  and  his  men  being  exiiausied  by  unremitting  service  and  wan* 
of  sleep,  he  hailed  near  ihe  Catawba  lord,  to  give  them  some  re|)()se  diinnir  the 
heat  of  the  day.  In  order  to  prevent  a  surprise,  lie  tiad  plaeed  seiiiine"ls  at 
proper  stations  to  give  warning  of  approaching  danger ;  l)iit.  ovenome  by  fatigue, 
and  equally  regardless  of  duly  ami  safety,  llie  senliiiels  tell  asleep  at  iheir  post, 
and  gave  no  alarm.  Tarlelon  suddenly  burst  into  the  eiiLampment  of  the  drowsy 
and  unsuspecting  Americans  ;  and,  though  some  slight  resistance  was  at  first 
made  from  behind  the  baggage,  soon  gained  a  complete  victory.  The  .Vmericans 
fled  precipitately  toward  the  river  or  the  woods.  Many  were  killed  or  wounded. 
Sumpter  escaped  ;  but  all  his  baggage  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  while 
the  prisoners  and  stores  wl>'i,h  he  bad  taken  were  recovered. 

Hy  the  complete  defeat  and  dispersion  of  the  army  under  General  Gates  and 
of  Suinpter's  corps.  South  Carolina  and  (Jeorgiu  were  again  laid  prostrate  at  the 
leet  ol  the  royal  uriny,  and  the  hope  of  maintaining  theii  independence  seemed 
more  desperate  than  ever. 


CHAPTER  X. 


Thk  war  which  was  pursued  wi'h  so  much  eagerness  on  land,  was  earned 
on  also  by  sea ;  and  there  the  Americans  displayed  that  nautical  sr-ill  and  valor 
which  have  since  enabled  them  to  contend  successfully  with  Great  Britain  upor 
that  element  where  she  had  hitherto  held  iindis|)uied  supremacy,  and  where  her 
victories  over  the  Dutch,  Spanish,  and  French,  bad  given  to  her  the  proud  title 
iif  "  queen  of  the  seas." 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  actions  which  occurred  in  1779  was  that  of  the 
capture  of  the  Serapis  and  Countess  of  Scarborough  by  the  Bon  Homme  Richard 
and  Pallas,  under  the  command  of  the  chevalier  Paul  .Jones. 

John  Paul  was  born  at  Arbigland,  in  Scotland,  on  the  6th  of  July,  1747,  and 
the  scenery  and  associations  of  his  birthplace,  and  its  vicinity,  doubtless  en- 
couraged a  restless  spirit  of  adventure,  a  love  of  change,  and  an  ardent  enthu- 
siasm in  the  objects  of  his  pursuits,  which  were  so  strikingly  manifested  in 
his  life. 

Ills  first  voyage  was  made  before  he  was  thirteen  years  old  ,  and  maritime 
pursuits  brought  him  to  America.  While  here,  his  feelings  became  interested 
in  the  cause  of  the  colonies,  and  fully  prepared  him  for  the  active  part  he  after 
ward  took  in  their  defence.  In  1773,  John  Paul  removed  to  Virginia,  to  attend 
to  the  affairs  of  his  brother,  who  had  died  childless  and  intestate.  He  now  as- 
sumed the  additional  surname  of  Jones.  On  the  22d  of  December.  177.5  by  a 
resolution  of  Congress,  Paul  Jones  was  appointed  lieutenant  in  the  American 
navy,  which  then  consisted  of  the  Alfred,  Columbus,  Andrew  Doria,  Sebastian 
Cabot,  and  Providence;  the  whole  mounting  100  guns,  and  manned  by  1,150 
seamen.  Jones  was  attached  to  the  Alfred,  and  was  the  first  to  hoist  the  Amer- 
Uiin  flag,  which  was  first  displayed  on  board  that  vessel. 

He  was  engaged  in  cruising  among  the  British  West  India  islands,  where  his 
Ireipient  captures  not  only  aided  the  cause  of  American  independence  by  fur- 
nisbing  to  the  American  army  from  the  captured  prizes  many  munitions  of  war 


I 

I 


OF  TIIK  AMERICAN   liCVOLUTlO.N. 


3J3 


of  wliich  the  stiites"  troDps  wrre  in  iiiiicii  lut'il,  '  ut  :ilsu  .struck  terror  into  thr 
hearts  of  his  eiu-iiiit's,  and  <;aiiieil  for  liitusclf  i\w  ri'imiaiioii  ol  must  iiiviiuiblM 
I'ravt'ry  ami  iiidoinitahle  ihiriiii;. 

Ill  the  month  of  May,  1777,  Congress  sent  him  to  I'rance,  vvlicre  lie  was  ap- 
liointed  hy  Franklin  and  his  i)rotln'r  commissioners  to  the  comma:id  ol  a  French- 
iiiiilt  ship  under  Americr.n  colors.  In  the  course  ol'  I77M,  I'aul  .lones  sailed 
upon  a  criiis«;  to  the  coast  ->(  Britain,  ami  picked  up  many  |)rizes  under  the  very 
eyes  of  the  enemy,  xlere  his  kmiwledgi;  of  the  llriiisii  coast  was  of  much  ser- 
vice. Ho  made  a  descent  at  the  mouth  of  the  Dee,  near  to  Kirkwidhrighi  ;  and 
in  a  visit  to  the  liouse  of  the  earl  of  Selkirk,  retaliated  for  some  of  the  many 
oulrafjes  committed  by  the  British  upon  the  defenceless  shori's  of  .America,  and 
he  made  another  descent  by  night  on  the  Cumberland  coast,  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  Frith,  at  the  small  town  of  Whitehaven,  where  he  spiked  the  guns  of  the 
fort,  and  burnt  one  or  two  vessels.  For  some  time  he  cruised  up  and  down  be- 
tween the  Solway  and  the  Clyde,  scaring  the  whole  coast,  where  his  name  to 
this  day  is  mentioned  with  hoiror  ;  and  then,  returning  to  Brest  with  200  pris- 
oners, he  boasted  thai  with  his  single  ship  he  had  kept  the  northwestern  coast 
of  Fnglaml  and  southern  coast  of  Scotland  in  a  state  of  alarm.  In  the  summer 
of  1779,  he  returned  to  cruise  along  the  eastern  cou.it — no  longer  with  a  single 
ship,  but  with  a  squadron,  manned  by  French  and  American  lailo.s,  and  com- 
posed of  the  Bon  Homme  Kichard  of  40  guns,  the  .Mliance  of  U()  guns  (both 
American  vessels),  the  Pallas,  a  French  frigate  of  'A'-i  gims,  hired  by  the  Ameri- 
can Congress,  and  two  smaller  vessels,  He  fell  m  with  a  British  merchant- 
tleel  returning  from  the  Baltic,  convoyed  by  the  Serajiis  of  It  guns,  and  the 
Countess  of  Scarborough  of  "20.  Paul  Jones,  in  his  description  of  this  contvjst, 
remarks  : — 

"  On  the  21st,  wc  saw  and  chased  two  sail  otf  Flamborough  Head  ;  the  Pallas 
chased  in  the  northeast  quarter,  while  the  Bon  Homtne  Richard,  followed  by 
the  Vengeance,  chased  in  the  southwest  ;  the  one  1  chased,  a  brigantinf?  collier 
in  ballast,  belonging  to  Scari)orough,  was  soon  taken,  and  sunk  immediately  af- 
terward, as  a  Heel  then  ap[ieared  to  ilie  southward.  'I'his  was  so  late  in  the 
day,  that  I  could  not  come  up  with  the  fleet  before  night ;  at  length,  however,  I 
got  so  near  one  of  them  as  to  force  her  to  run  ashore  between  Flaml>orough 
Head  and  the  Spurn.  Soon  after,  I  took  anoiiier,  a  brigantine  from  Holland, 
l)elonging  to  Sunderland  ;  and  at  dayliulit  next  morning,  seeing  a  fleet  steering 
toward  me  from  the  Spurn,  I  imagined  them  to  be  a  convoy  bound  from  London 
for  Leith,  which  had  been  for  some  lime  expected.  One  of  them  had  a  pendant 
hoisted,  and  appeared  to  be  a  ship  of  force.  'I'hey  had  not,  however,  courage 
to  come  015,  but  kept  back,  all  e>cept  the  one  which  seemed  to  be  armed,  and  that 
one  also  kept  to  the  windward,  very  near  the  land,  and  on  the  edge  of  dangerous 
shoals,  where  I  could  not  with  safety  approach.  This  induced  me  to  make  a 
signal  for  a  pilot,  and  soon  afterward  two  pilot-boats  came  oil".  'I'hey  informed 
me  that  a  ship  that  wore  a  pei  -..nt  was  an  armed  inerchanimaii,  and  that  a  king's 
i'rigate  lay  there  in  sight,  at  anchor,  within  the  Humber,  waiting  to  lake  under 
'convoy  a  number  of  merchant-ships  bound  to  ihe  northward.  The  pilots  im- 
agined the  Bon  Homme  Richard  to  be  an  English  ship-of-war,  and  consequently 
communicated  to  me  the  private  signal  which  they  had  been  required  tr>  make. 
I  endeavored  by  this  means  to  decoy  the  ships  out  of  the  port  ;  but  the  wind 
then  changing,  and,  with  the  tide,  becoming  unfavorable  for  them,  the  decepti<m 
had  not  th3  desired  efl'ect,  and  they  wisely  put  back.  The  entrance  of  the 
Humber  is  exceedingly  diflicull  and  dangerous,  and  as  the  Pallas  was  not  in 
sight,  I  thought  it  imprmleiit  to  remain  otV  the  eiiiranct — ilierelore  steered  out 
anain  to  join  the  Pallas  off  Flamborough  Head.  In  the  iiiiiht  we  saw  and  chaseu 
'wo  ships  unti.   three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when,  beiiin  at  a  very  small  dis- 


834 


THE  PICTORIAL  HlsToliY 


o 

M 
CO 

o 


3 
O 

u 


3 

a. 


g 


n 


a 
o 
oa 

9 


V 

1 


? 


I 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  U EVOLUTION 


d:i^ 


twice  from  thorn,  I  made  the  pr'/ate  signal  of  rt'connaissance,  whicli  I  had  given 
to  eacli  captain  before  I  sailed  from  Groix  :  one  half  of  the  answer  only  was  re- 
turned. In  this  position  both  sides  lay  to  till  daylight,  when  the  ships  proved 
to  be  the  Alliancr.  and  the  Pallas. 

"  On  the  morning  of  that  day,  the  23d,  the  brig  from  Holland  not  !)eing  in  sight, 
we  chased  a  brigantine  that  appeared  laying  to,  to  windward.  At)out  noon,  we 
saw  and  chased  a  large  ship  that  appeared  coming  round  Flamborough  Head, 
from  the  northward,  and  at  the  same  time  I  manned  and  armed  one  of  the  pilot- 
boats  to  send  in  pursuit  of  the  brigantine,  which  now  appeared  to  be  llie  vessel 
that  I  had  forced  as-hore.  Soon  after  this,  a  fleet  of  forty-one  sail  appe'ired  off 
Flamborough  Head,  bearing  north-northeast.  This  induced  me  to  ai)andon  the 
single  ship,  which  had  then  anchored  in  Burlington  bay  ;  I  also  called  back  the 
pilot-boat,  and  hoisted  a  signal  for  a  general  chase.  When  the  fleet  discovered 
us  bearing  down,  all  the  merchant-ships  crowded  sail  toward  the  shore  Tlie 
"wo  ships-of-warthat  protected  the  fleet  at  the  same  time  steered  from  the  land, 
and  made  the  disposition  for  battle.  In  approaching  the  enemy,  I  crowded  ev- 
ery possible  sail,  and  made  the  signal  for  thd  line  of  battle,  to  which  the  .Mliance 
showed  no  attention.  Earnest  as  I  was  for  the  action,  I  could  not  reach  the 
commodore's  shipimtil  seven  in  the  evening,  being  then  within  pistol-shot,  when 
he  hailed  the  Bon  Homme  Richard.  We  answered  him  by  firing  a  whole 
broadside. 

"  The  battle  being  thus  begun,  was  continued  with  unremitting  fury.  Every 
method  was  practised  on  both  sides  to  gain  an  advantage,  and  rake  each  other  ; 
and  I  nuist  confess  that  the  enemy's  ship,  being  much  more  manageable  than 
the  Bon  Homme  Richard,  gain  I  thereby  several  times  an  advantageous  situa- 
tion, in  spite  of  my  best  ende  -s  to  prevent  it.  As  I  had  to  deal  with  an 
enemy  of  greatly  superior  force,  .  was  under  the  necessity  of  closing  with  him, 
to  prevent  the  Advantage  which  lie  had  over  me  in  point  of  manoeuvre.  It  was 
my  intention  to  lay  the  Bon  Homn\e  Richard  athwart  the  enemy's  bow  ;  but  as 
that  operation  requirerl  great  dexterity  in  the  management  of  both  sails  and  helm, 
and  some  of  our  braces  beif^  shot  away,  it  did  not  exactly  succeed  to  my  wish. 
The  enemy's  bowsprit,  however,  came  over  the  Bon  Homme  Richard's  poop, 
by  the  mizzenmast,  and  I  made  both  ships  fast  together  in  that  situation,  which 
by  the  action  of  the  wind  on  the  enemy's  sails,  forced  her  stern  close  to  the  Bon 
IIi>mm<"  Richard's  bow,  so  ihist  the  ships  lay  square  alongside  of  each  other,  the 
yards  being  all  entangled,  and  the  cannon  of  each  ship  touching  the  opponents. 
When  this  position  took  place  it  was  eight  o'clock,  previous  to  which  the  Bon 
Homme  liichurd  had  received  sundry  eightco>i-pound  shots  below  the  water, 
and  leaked  very  much.  My  battery  of  twelve  founders,  on  which  I  had  placed 
my  chief  dependance,  being  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Dale  and  Colonel  Wei- 
bert,  and  manned  principally  with  American  seamen  and  French  volunteers,  was 
entirely  silenced  and  abandoned.  As  to  the  six  old  eighteen-pounders  that 
formed  itie  battery  of  the  lower  gun-deck,  they  did  no  service  whatever,  except 
firing  eight  shots  in  all.  Two  out  of  three  of  them  burst  at  the  firs'  ♦ire,  and 
killed  almost  all  the  men  who  were  stationed  to  manage  them.  Beiore  this 
time,  too,  Colonel  de  Chamillard,  who  commanded  a  party  of  twenty  soldiers  on 
the  poo|),  had  abandoned  that  station,  after  having  lost  some  of  his  men.  I  had 
now  oul)-  two  pieces  of  cannon  (nine-pounders)  on  the  quarter-deck,  that  were 
not  silenced,  and  not  one  of  the  heavier  cannon  was  fired  during  the  rest  of  the 
action.  The  purser,  M.  Mease,  who  commanded  the  guns  on  the  quarter-deck, 
being  dangerously  wounded  in  the  head,  I  was  obliged  to  fill  his  place,  and  with 
great  difficulty  rallied  a  few  men  and  shifted  over  one  of  the  lee  quarter-deck 
guns,  80  that  we  afterward  played  three  pieces  of  nine-pounders  upon  the  enemy 
The  tops  alone  seconded  the  fire  of  this  little  battery,  and  held  out  bravclv  du- 


•yA(S 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


ririi;  the  wholp  of  tlie  action,  espcrially  ilie  maintop,  where  Lioiiteiiant 
coiiitnandeil.  I  dircctt'd  the  tire  of  one  of  tlie  iliree  cannon  against  th«'  mainmast, 
with  (loiil)k'-hf',i(lp(l  sliot,  wiiiU;  the  othiT  two  were  exceediiijjiv  well  Mcrved  wit*- 
L'rapc  and  canistt'r-sh<it,  to  silence  the  enemy's  musketry  and  clear  lier  decks, 
which  was  at  last  elTec'eil.  Tlie  enemy  were,  as  I  iiave  since  understood,  or. 
the  instant  of  callinn  for  quarter,  wlien  the  cowardice  or  treachery  of  tliree  of 
my  under-odicers  induced  them  to  call  to  the  enemy.  'I'he  Kn>>lish  connnodoro 
asked  me  if  I  demanded  quarter,  and  I  having  answercMJ  him  in  ih<!  most  dete'- 
miiiL'd  negative,  they  renewed  llie  hattle  with  double  fury.  Thev  were  unahle 
to  stand  the  deck  ;  hut  the  fire  of  their  cannon,  es|)ecially  the  lower  hattery, 
which  was  entirely  formed  of  ten-poimder.-;,  was  incessant ;  hotli  shi|)s  were  set 
on  fire  in  various  places,  and  the  scene  was  dieadful  beyond  the  reach  of  lan- 
guage. To  account  for  the  titnidity  of  my  three  under-ofticers — I  mean  the 
gunner,  the  carpenter,  and  the  master-at-arms — I  must  observe,  tliat  the  first  iwo 
were  slightly  wounded,  and,  as  the  ship  had  received  various  shots  under  water, 
and  one  of  the  pumps  being  shot  away,  the  carpenter  expressed  his  fears  that 
lit  woidd  sink,  and  the  other  two  concluded  that  she  was  sinking,  which  occa- 
sioned the  gunner  to  run  aft  on  the  poop,  wi.hout  my  knowledge,  to  strike  the 
colors.  Fortunately  for  me,  a  cannon-ball  had  done  that  before,  by  carrying 
away  the  ensign-staff;  he  was  therefore  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  sinking,  as 
e  supposed,  or  of  calling  for  quarter,  and  he  preferred  the  latter. 

"  All  this  time  the  Bon  Homrne  Richard  had  sustained  the  action  alone,  and 
the  enemy,  though  much  superior  in  force,  would  have  been  very  glad  to  have 
got  clear,  as  appears  by  their  own  acknowledgments,  and  by  their  having  let 
go  an  anchor  the  instant  that  I  laid  them  on  board,  by  which  means  they  would 
have  escaped,  had  I  not  made  them  well  fast  to  the  Bon  Homme  Richard. 

"  At  last,  at  half  past  nine  o'clock,  the  Alliance  appeared,  and  I  now  thought 
the  battle  at  an  end  ;  but,  to  my  utter  astonishment,  he  discharged  a  broadside 
full  into  the  stern  of  the  Bon  Homme  Richard.  We  called  to  him  for  God's 
sake  to  forbear  firing  into  the  Bon  Homme  Richard  ;  yet  they  passed  along  the 
off  side  of  the  ship,  and  continued  firing.  There  was  no  possibility  of  his  mis- 
taking the  enemy's  ship  for  the  Bon  Homme  Richard,  there  being  the  most  es- 
sential difference  in  their  appearance  and  construction.  Besides,  it  was  then 
full  moonlight,  and  tho  sides  of  the  Bon  Homme  Richard  were  all  black,  while 
the  sides  of  the  prize  were  all  yellow.  Yet,  for  the  greater  security,  I  showed 
the  signal  of  our  reconnaissance,  by  putting  out  three  lanterns,  one  at  the  head, 
another  at  the  stern,  and  the  third  in  the  middle,  in  a  horizontal  line.  Every 
tongue  cried  that  he  was  firing  into  the  wrong  ship,  but  nothing  availed  ;  he 
passed  round,  firing  into  the  Bon  Homme  Richard's  head,  stern,  and  broadside, 
and  by  one  of  his  volleys  killed  several  of  my  best  men,  and  mortally  wounded 
&  good  officer  on  the  forecastle.  My  situation  was  really  deplorable  ;  the  Bon 
Homme  Richard  received  various  shots  under  water  from  the  Alliance  ;  the  leak 
gained  on  the  pumps,  and  the  fire  increased  much  on  board  both  ships.  Some 
officers  persuaded  me  to  strike,  of  whose  courage  and  good  sense  I  entertain  a 
high  opinion.  My  treacherous  master-at-arms  let  loose  all  my  prisoners  with- 
out my  knowledge,  and  my  prospects  became  gloomy  indeed.  1  would  not, 
however,  give  up  the  point.  The  enemy's  mainmast  began  to  shake,  their  firing 
decreased  fast,  ours  rather  increased,  and  the  British  colors  were  struck  at  half 
an  hour  past  ten  o'clock. 

"  This  prize  proved  to  be  the  British  ship-of-war  the  Serapis,  a  new  shij)  of 
44  guns,  built  on  the  most  approved  construction,  with  two  complete  batterie.s, 
one  of  them  of  eighteen-pounders,  and  commanded  by  the  brave  Commodore 
Richard  Pearson.  I  had  yet  two  enemies  to  encounter,  far  more  formidable 
than  the  Britons  :    I  mean  fire  and  water.     The  Serapis  was  attacked  only  by 


I 


iitpiiant 
tii(>  ni.-iinma^t, 
II  scrvfil  wit*- 
(';ir  litT  decks, 
uiiilcrKtooil,  or. 
rv  <if  iliree  ol 
sli  coininoilore 
lie  tiuisl  ilfU"-- 
V  were  ui>!ilil<^ 
lower  battery, 
ships  were  set 

reach  of  laii- 

—1   mean  the 

at  the  first  two 

18  under  water, 

his  fears  that 
g,  which  occa- 
e,  to  strike  the 
re,  by  carrying 
'  of  sinking,  as 

tioii  ah)ne,  and 
■y  glad  to  have 
heir  having  let 
ans  they  would 

Richard. 

I  now  thought 
;ed  a  broadside 

him  for  God's 
assed  along  the 
ility  of  his  mis- 
ng  the  most  es- 
les,  it  was  then 
all  black,  while 
;urity,  I  showed 
ane  at  the  head, 
;al  line.     Every 
ng  availed  ;  he 
,  and  broadside, 
ortally  wounded 
Drable  ;  the  Bon 
lianee  ;  the  leak 
;h  ships.     Some 
use  1  entertain  a 
r  prisoners  with- 
.     1   would  not, 
hake,  iheir  tiring 
re  struck  at  half 

3,  a  new  ship  ot 
implele  batteries, 
rave  Commodore 
more  formidable 
attacked  only  by 


or'  THE  AMitlHiv^AN  U£VoM  riO>. 


337 


#M    :43.~Me(lal  presented  to  i  waf  tM*. 


338 


THE  PICIORIAL  mSTOHV 


the  first,  hut  the  Hon  Hoiiiiik;  Hichurd  \v;ia  aiisailed  by  both  ,  there  was  fire  feei 
water  in  thi;  Iiold,  and  th(>u<;h  it  w:i8  moderate  from  the  exploition  of  ho  much 
gunpowdtT,  ytt  the  llin-e  niiinps  ili;ti  rpmiiiru-d  i-ouhl  with  difTuulty  only  keep 
the  water  from  gaining.  The  lire  l)r(»ke  out  in  various  parts  oC  the  siiip,  in  spiie 
of  all  the  water  lliat  could  he  ihrowii  in  to  (piench  it,  and  at  length  broke  out  ;ii 
low  an  the  powder-magazine,  and  within  a  (vw  inches  of  the  powder.  In  that 
dilemma,  I  took  out  the  powder  upon  deck,  ready  to  be  thrown  overboard  at  the 
last  extremity  md  it  was  ten  o'clock  the  next  day,  the  2  Ith,  before  the  firt'  was 
entirely  extinguish'il.  With  respect  to  the  situation  of  the  Bon  llomme  Hi,li 
ard,  the  ruiMer  was  cut  entirely  ofT,  the  stern-frame  and  transoms  were  almost 
entirely  cut  away,  and  the  timbers  by  ilu  lower-deck,  especially  from  the  main- 
mast toward  tlie  stern,  being  greatly  decayed  with  age,  were  mangled  beyoml 
my  power  of  description  ;  and  a  person  must  have  been  an  eyewitness  to  form  a 
just  idea  of  the  tremendous  scene  of  carnage,  wreck,  and  rum,  which  every- 
where appeared.  Humanity  can  not  but  recoil  from  the  prospect  of  such  fm- 
ished  horror,  and  lament  that  war  should  be  capable  of  producing  such  fatal 
con8e(iuence8. 

"  .\fter  tlie  carpenters,  as  well  as  Captain  Cottineau  and  other  men  of  sense, 
had  wtdl  examineil  and  surveyed  the  ship  (which  was  not  fmisheil  before  five  in 
the  evening),  I  fouml  every  person  to  l)e  convinced  that  it  was  impossible  to 
keep  the  Bon  Homme  Richard  afloat  so  as  to  reach  a  port,  if  the  wind  should 
increase,  it  being  then  only  a  very  mod(!tate  breeze.  I  had  but  little  time  to  re 
move  my  woutided,  which  now  became  unavoidable,  and  which  was  effected  in 
the  course  of  the  night  and  next  morning.  I  was  determined  to  keep  the  Hon 
Homme  Richard  afloat,  and,  if  possible,  to  bring  her  into  port.  I'or  that  pur- 
pose, the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Pallas  continued  on  board  with  a  party  of  men  to 
ittend  the  pumps,  with  boats  in  waiting  ready  to  take  them  on  board  in  ciise  the 
water  sh»uld  gain  on  them  too  fast.  The  wind  augmented  in  the  night,  and  the 
next  day,  the  'J5th,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to  prevent  the  good  old  ship  from 
sitiking.  They  did  not  abandon  het  till  after  nine  o'clock  ;  the  water  was  then 
up  to  the  lower  deck,  and  a  little  after  ten  I  saw,  with  inexpressible  grief,  the 
last  glimpse  of  the  Bon  Homme  Richard.  No  lives  were  lost  with  the  ship,  but 
it  was  impossible  to  save  the  stores  of  any  sort  whatever.  I  lost  even  the  best 
part  of  my  clothes,  books,  and  papers  ;  and  several  of  my  officers  lost  all  their 
clothes  and  effects. 

"  Having  thus  endeavored  to  give  a  clear  and  simple  re'.-tion  of  the  circum- 
stances and  events  that  have  attended  the  little  armament  under  my  command,  ] 
shall  freidy  submit  my  conduct  therein  to  the  censure  of  my  superiors  and  the 
impartial  public.  I  beg  leave,  however,  to  observe,  that  the  force  put  under  my 
command  was  far  from  being  well  composed;  and  as  the  great  majority  of  the 
actors  in  it  have  appeared  bent  on  the  pursuit  of  interest  only,  I  am  exceedingly 
sorry  that  they  and  I  have  been  at  all  concerned. 

"  Captain  Cottineau  engaged  the  Countess  of  Scarborough,  and  took  her,  after 
an  hour's  action,  while  the  Hon  Homme  Richard  engaged  the  Serapis.  The 
Countess  of  Scarborough  is  an  armed  ship  of  20  six-pounders,  and  was  com- 
manded by  a  king's  officer.  In  the  action,  the  Alliance,  as  I  ain  informed,  fired 
into  the  Pallas  and  killed  some  men.  If  it  should  be  asked  why  the  convoy  wa.^ 
suffered  to  escape,  I  must  answer  that  1  was  myself  in  no  condition  to  pursue 
and  that  none  of  the  rest  showed  any  inclination  ;  not  even  Mr.  Ricot,  who  had 
heic'  ofT  at  a  distance  to  windward  during  the  whole  action,  and  withheld  by 
force  tiu'  pilot- boat  witP  mv  lieutenant  and  lifteen  men.  The  Alliance, too.  wa» 
in  a  state  to  piirsue  the  fie »t,  not  having  had  a  single  man  wounded,  or  a  single  shot 
fired  at  her  from  the  Serapis,  and  only  three  that  did  execution  from  the  Countess 
of  Scarborough,  at  such  a  distance  that  one  stuck  in  the  side,  and  the  other  two 


>re  was  five  fr« 
•ion  ol  so  iiuifh 
iculty  only  keep 
he  sliip,  ill  spile 
gth  brokf  out  a» 
owdtT.  Ill  thiit 
overboanl  at  the 
fore  the  fire  was 
n  llomme  Rifh 
)in8  weri!  ahiiost 
y  from  the  mnin- 
inaiii;l(nl  heyoiul 
viiness  to  form  a 
II,  which  every- 
lect  of  such  fin. 
ucing  such  fatal 

er  men  of  sense, 
leil  before  five  in 
as  impossible  to 
the  wind  should 
1  little  time  to  re 
li  was  elft'Cted  in 
to  keep  the  Hon 
t.  For  that  pur- 
a  y<arty  of  men  to 
board  in  case  the 
ihe  night,  and  the 
ood  old  ship  from 
e  water  was  then 
ressible  grief,  the 
with  the  ship,  but 
lost  even  the  best 
icers  lost  all  their 

on  of  the  circum- 
er  my  command,  1 
superiors  and  the 
iirce  put  under  my 
at  majority  of  the 
I  am  exceedingly 

and  took  her,  after 
he  Serapis.  The 
E-rs,  and  was  corn- 
am  informed,  fired 
■hy  the  convoy  wa.< 
ondition  to  pursue, 
Ir.  Ricot,  who  had 
1,  and  withheld  by 
;  Alliance,  too,  wa» 
ied,  or  a  single  shot 
I  from  theCoimtes!. 
,  and  the  other  »wp 


OF  THE  AMF-RICAN  RICVOLFTIOX. 


33« 


just  tourhi'd,  and  then  dropped  into  the  water,  '{'he  Alliance  killed  one  man 
only  on  board  the  Serapis.  As  Captain  do  Cottineau  charged  himself  with  man- 
ning and  securing  the  prisoners  of  the  Countess  of  Scarborough,  I  think  the 
escape  of  the  Baltic  fleet  can  not  so  well  be  charged  to  his  account. 

"  1  should  have  mentioned,  that  the  mainmast  and  mizzen-topmast  of  the 
Scniius  fell  cverboard  .soon  after  the  captain  had  come  on  hoard  the  Ron  Homme 
Richard." 

This  brave  action  struck  terror  into  the  hearts  of  the  enemies  of  Atnerican 
liberty,  and  contributed  not  a  little  to  establish  for  her  hardy  tars  a  reputation 
lor  naval  bravery,  so  w<dl  maintained  afterward  by  a  I'errv,  Decatur,  and 
Hull. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

V\'hile  ilie  transactions  we  have  related  were  going  on  in  the  southern  states. 
KOiiie  inlerestinir  events  hap})eiicd  in  the  more  northern  parts  of  the  Union, 
Nvliere  (ieneral  Washington  was  beset  by  pressing  and  formidable  difficulties. 
Tilt!  finances  oi'  (Congress  were  in  a  most  depressed  cimdition,  and  the  iirueii* 
wants  of  the  army  were  but  ill  supplied.  The  evils  of'  short  eiilistmeni,  tliougK 
liistinetly  understood  and  strongly  felt,  could  not  be  remedied  ;  and  the  places 
of  those  men  who  were  leaviiiy  the  army,  on  the  expiration  of  their  sti[)uiated 
term  of  service,  could  not  easily  be  filled  up.  Resides,  the  troops  were  in 
danger  of  perishing  by  cold  and  famine.  During  the  preceding  year,  (Jeneral 
(.iteen".  and  Colonel  Wadsworth  had  been  at  the  head  of  the  (]uartermaster  and 
commissary  departments;  and  notwithstanding  their  utmost  e.\(.'rtioiis,  the  wants 
of  the  army  had  been  ill  supplied.  After  being  put  into  winter  quarters,  it  was 
in  great  danger  of  being  dissolved  by  want  of  provisions,  or  of  perishing  throusih 
'amine.  The  colonial  paper  moiii'y  was  in  a  state  of  great  and  increasing  de- 
preciation ;  and  in  order  to  check  the  alarming  evil.  Congress,  which,  like  other 
jjopnlar  assemblies,  had  in  it  no  small  share  of  ignorance  and  self  'sufficiency, 
resolved  to  diminish  the  circulation  and  keej)  up  the  value  of  their  paper  cur- 
rency by  withholding  the  necessary  supplies  from  the  public  agents.  This 
foolish  resolution  threatened  the  ruin  of  the  army.  Noliody  was  willintr  to 
Miake  contracts  with  the  public,  and  some  of  those  entered  into  were  not  fulfilled. 

Congress,  jealous  of  the  public  agents,  because  ignorant  of  what  was  really 
necessary,  re|)eate(lly  changed  the  form  of  its  enaagements  with  them  ;  and  at 
length,  by  its  fluctuating  policy,  real  wants,  and  iitiprndent  parsimony,  brought 
matters  to  such  extremities,  that  ( Jeiieral  Wasliington  was  coin|)elled  to  require 
tlie  several  counties  of  the  slate  of  New  Jersey  to  furnish  his  army  with  certain 
tjiiaiitiiies  of  provisions  within  six  days,  in  order  to  prevent  thitui  from  being 
i:ikeii  by  force.  .Although  the  province  was  much  exhausted,  yet  tlie  people 
instantly  complied  with  the  requisition,  and  furnished  a  temporary  supply  to  th«> 
army. 

Soon  after  Sir  Henry  Clinton  sailed  on  his  expedition  against  Ciiarleston. 
toward  the  end  of  the  year  1779,  a  frost  of  unexampled  intensity  began.  The 
Hudson,  East  river,  and  all  the  waters  round  New  York,  were  so  compleielv 
frozen,  that  an  army,  with  its  artillery  and  wagons,  might  have  crossed  them  m 
all  directions  with  perfect  safety.  New  York  lost  al'  'he  advaniag  's  of  its  iiisu' 
iar  situation,  and  became  e'»sMy  accessible  on  every  side.     This  citv  wtr  fc?rt» 


310 


'IMIK    IMcrolUAF,    msTOIlY 


rifil  hy  he  lUitish  Imt,  on  ao-niint  of  its  iiiMiilar  Hituatiuti,  several  |iHri.s,  Imihk 
(■onsiiltTcil  1(1'  (lidiciili  ;icc'i'.ss,  wcri!  leli  iiinlrl't'iKlt'il.  Hy  the  sireiiL'tli  ol'  tlm 
icf,  liowt'viT,  fviry  poiiit  licciiiic  i-X|i(iscil  ;  itiiil  in  that  unl'ori'Stien  i.-iiitrkjciify, 
(•t'licral  Knyj)li:ius('n,  wlio  ciininwiiiitt'i' 
iiit'ii,  took  every  |iruileiit  precautiDii  lor  i 
iier.ilile  part  ;  l>iit  the  inelfieieney  of  tin 


1  III  the  eity  wi.h  a  tfarrisuii  ol    10,UUO 
is  own  (leleiice,  and  lortilied  every  viil- 
irmy  was  his  liest  socuriiy. 


American  army  was 
(Jeneral  Wasliinijion  easily  perceived  the  advantages  liich  the  extraordinary 
trost  jjave  liiin  ;  liiil,  from  ilie  desliluie  state  of  his  army,  he  was  uiial  ie  t(»  avail 
liiiiiself  of  them,  and  was  ol)ht;cil  to  see  an  o|)portunity  pass  away  wliicli  was 
probably  never  to  return  The  army  under  liis  immediate  comiiiand  was  inlW- 
rior  III  number  to  the  (farrison  of  New  York ;  it  was  also  ill  clad,  scantily  sup- 
plied with  |)r(>visioiis,  and  in  no  condition  to  undertake  olFensive  o|)erations. 

The  Mritish  had  a  post  on  Stateti  Island  ;  and,  as  the  ice  oj)eiied  a  free  coin- 
iiii.-nu'ation  between  the  island  and  the  Jersey  coast,  (iiMieral  Washington,  not- 
witlistaiidin<»  the  enfeebled  condition  of  his  army,  n-solved  to  attack  the  jrurrison, 
and  appointed  Lord  Stirling  to  conduct  the  enterprise.  The  ni<>iit  of  the  1  ttli 
of  January  was  chosen  for  the  attempt ;  but  though  the  Americans  used  every 
precaution,  yet  the  ollicer  commanding  (ui  Stateii  Islanil  discovered  their  iiituii- 
iion,  and  took  en'ectual  measures  to  defeat  it.  The  attack  was  repulsed,  but  little 
loss  was  sustained  on  either  side. 

The  extreme  cold  occasioned  mudi  sulTering  in  New  York,  by  want  of  pre 
\isions  and  fuel  ;  for,  as  tht;  communication  by  water  was  entirely  stopped,  the 
usual  supplies  were  cut  ofT.     'I'he  demand  for  fuel  in  particular  was  so  prcissing 
that  it  was  found  expedient  to  break  up  some  old  transports,  and  to  |)ull  do\\. 
some  uninhabited  wooden  houses,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  that  necessary 
article.     As  the   British  paid  in  ready  money  for  provisions  or  firewood  carried 
within  the  lines,  many  of  the  country  people,  tempted  by  the  precious  metals,  so 
rare  among  them,  tried  to  supply  the  garrison.     The  endeavors  of  the  Uritish  to 
encourage  and  protect  this  intercourse,  and  the  exertions  of  the  Americans  to 
prevent  it,  brought  on  a  sort  of  partisan  warfare,  in   which  the  former  most 
freijuently  had  the  advantage.     In  one  of  the  most  important  of  tli'se  rencoun- 
ters, a  captain  and  fourteen  men  of  a  Massachusetts  regimiiiit  were  killed  on  the 
spot,  seventeen  were  wounded,  and  ninety,  with  Colonel  Thompson,  the  office' 
who  commanded  the  party,  were  made  prisoners. 

Congress  found  itself  placed  in  very  diiricult  circumstances.  It  always  con- 
tained a  number  of  men  of  talents,  and  manifested  no  small  share  of  vigor  anil 
activity.  Many  of  the  members  were  skilful  in  the  management  of  their  private 
aflairs,  and,  having  been  successful  in  the  world,  thought  themselves  competent 
to  direct  the  most  important  national  concerns,  although  unacquainted  with  the 
principles  of  finance,  legislation,  or  war.  In  pecuniary  matters  they  were  dila- 
tory, and  never  anticipated  trying  emergencies,  or  made  provision  for  probable 
events,  till  they  were  overtaken  by  some  urgent  necessity.  Hence  they  were 
frequently  deliberating  about  levying  troops  and  supplying  the  army  when  the 
troops  ought  to  have  been  in  the  field,  and  the  army  fully  equipped  for  active 
service.  This  often  placed  the  commander-in-chief  in  the  most  trying  and 
perilous  circumstances. 

Congress  had  solemnly  resolved  not  to  exceed  $200,000,000  in  conti- 
nental bills  of  credit.  In  November,  1779,  the  whole  of  that  sum  was  issued, 
and  expended  also.  The  demand  on  the  stales  to  replenish  the  treasury  by 
taxes  had  not  been  fully  complied  with  ;  and,  even  although  it  had  been  com- 
pletely answered,  would  not  have  furnished  a  sum  adequate  to  the  expenses  of 
government.  Instead  of  maturely  considering  and  digesting  a  plan,  adhering  to 
it,  and  improving  it  by  experience.  Congress  often  changed  its  measures ;  and. 
even  in  the  midst  of  those  distresses  which  had  brough.  the  army  to  the  verge 


! 


(>:    Till;  wii.iMcAN  iM:v(»[,iri().\. 


Ml 


it-ral  |iuiiM,  lii'iiii; 
i!  streiiiilU  ol'  the 
^seen  eiiu'rueiicy, 
iirrisoii  ol  lO.OUO 
jitil'icil  every  viil- 
his  Ix'Jti  s(H,'uniy. 
ilir  fxtriuirdiiiiiry 
to*  uiiul  It)  to  avail 

away  whicli  was 
iiinaiiil  wast  iiile- 
:la{l,  Mcaiilily  sup- 
(f  operaiioiis. 
pencil  a  tree  com- 

VVasliinnton,  iiot- 
;lack  the  jjarrison, 

iiiylit  of  the  1  Jill 
■icaiis  Used  every 
(vered  their  inteii- 
repulscd,  but  little 

i,  by  want  of  pn- 
tirely  slopped,  iho 
r  was  so  pressin;?^ 
and  to  pull  do«. 
iiiff  tliat  neccssarj 
r  firewood  carried 
)recioiis  metals,  so 
rs  of  the  British  to 

the  Americans  to 
I  the  former  most 

of  th'se  reucouii- 
were  killed  on  the 
)mpson,  the  office' 

8.  It  always  cou- 
share  of  vigor  and 
ent  of  their  private 
mselves  cotnpetenl 
cquairiled  with  the 
ers  they  were  dila- 
ivision  for  probable 
Hence  ihey  were 
the  army  when  the 
squipped  for  active 
e  most  trying  and 

,000,000   in   conti- 

at  sum  was  issued, 

sh  the  treasury  by 

li  it  had  been  com- 

to  the  expenses  of 

a  plan,  adhering  to 

its  measures ;  and. 

e  armv  to  the  verge 


r,:  dissohitioii,  was  busy  in  ilf\  imiml;  new  am!  untrii'd  i'\p(i!i(iii>  for  siippurtiiin 
;l.  As  ilii'  licasury  was  cmply,  and  inoufy  could  not  be  rMi>eil,  (^l|lJ.'rc■s•(,  on 
tti<-  J.'ith  of  February,  resolved  in  call  on  the  several  Htat<'s  for  their  pr  ipor 
lion  of  |)rovisi<ins  and  forage  for  the  maintenance  of  the  army  diirini:  the  eiis>;iiii> 
eampaiuii,  Iml  .specified  no  time  within  which  these  were  Ui  be  colli'cfeil.  anil 
loiiHccjiieiitlv  the  states  were  in  no  hast(!  in  the  matter.  In  oriler  to  eni(iiir;iL;e 
gild  facilitate  comi)liaiiee  with  ibis  re(|iiisitioii,  it  was  further  resoled  that  any 
Htate  which  siioiild  have  taken  the  necessary  measures  for  fiirnisbiiii;  its  ([uota, 
and  Kiven  notice  thereof  to  (^"oiiyress,  should  be  aiiiborized  to  prohibit  any  con- 
tinental (]iiartermaster  or  commissary  from  puridiasini;  within  its  limits. 

Kver\'  man  wlio  bad  a  |)raeticnl  knowledge  ol  the  siilyect  easily  perceived  the 
ijelectivp  nature  iiiid  diini;eroiis  tendency  of  this  arrantteinent.  It  was  an 
aitempt  to  carry  on  the  war  rather  iiv  separate  provincial  ell'orts  than  bv  a  com- 
hiiiaiion  of  national  sirenirth  ;  and  if  the  army  received  from  any  state  where  it 
was  actiii;;  the  appointi'd  (|uaiilily  of  necessaries,  it  bail  no  rijjht,  thougli  starvinj;, 
to  purchase  what  it  stood  in  need  of.  Hesides.  the  carria:,'e  of  provisions  from 
i!i>i.tiil  parts  was  troublesome,  expensive,  and  sometimes  iiii]  racticable. 

The  troops  wiire  ill  clothed,  their  pay  was  in  arrear,  and  that  of  llie  odlcers, 
owing  to  the  great  depreciation  of  the  .iper  curreiwv,  was  wholly  iiiiei[ual  to 
their  decent  maintenance.  These  iindliplied  privaliouM  and  sunerings  soured 
tlie  temper  of  the  men  ;  and  it  required  all  the  inlluence  of  thei>-  revered  com- 
niaiider  to  prevent  many  ol  the  otTicers  from  refigning  'leir  roinmissious.  The 
long  continuance  of  wan*  and  harilshij)  |)rc  need  relrvation  of  disciplinr.  whii'h 
at  lengih  manifested  itself  in  open  mutiny.  On  the  '^b\h  of  .Ma  .  two  re),iments 
belonging  to  Connecticit  paraded  imder  arms,  with  the  avo,'  1  intention  of 
reluming  home,  or  of  obtaining  subsistence  at  the  point  ol  ';i>  bayonet.  The 
re>t  of  the  soldiers,  though  they  did  not  join  in  the  mutiny,  .ihowed  lilth-  dispo- 
sition to  suppress  it.  At  length  the  two  regiment;  \i  e  brought  back  .  •  their 
duly  ;  but  much  mur'iiuring  and  many  complaints  'vere  leard.  While  the  army 
\'.!is  in  such  want,  the  inhabitants  of  Jersey,  where  most  of  the  troops  were  sta- 
'inned,  were  iinavi  idably  harassed  by  frccpient  requisitions,  which  excited  con- 
'•iilerablt!  discoiite-it. 

Reports  of  the  mutinous  state  of  the  ,\merican  army,  and  of  the  dissatisfaction 
of  the  people  (/  Jersey,  probably  much  exaggerated,  were  carried  to  (jenerai 
Kiiyphiiusen,  'vho,  believing  the  American  soldiers  ready  to  desert  their  staiid- 
■irils,  and  the  Inhabitants  of  Jersey  willing  to  abandon  the  Union,  on  the  6th  of 
liine,  passed  from  Staten  Island  to  Elizabethtown  in  Jersey,  with  5,000  men 
That  rnovfment  was  intended  to  encourage  the  mutinous  disposition  of  the 
-American  troops,  and  to  fan  the  flame  of  discontent  among  the  inhabitants  of  the 
provinr;e.  Early  next  morning,  he  marched  into  the  country  toward  Springfield 
by  the  way  of  Connecticut  Farms,  a  flourishing  plantation,  so  named  because 
the  cultivators  had  come  from  Connecticut.  But  even  before  reaching  that 
place,  which  was  only  five  or  si^  .o'les  from  Elizabethtown,  the  Hritiah  per- 
ceived that  the  reports  which  thi  v -i"ii  received  concerning  the  discontent  of 
the  Americans  were  incorrect;  for,  oa  the  first  alarm,  the  militia  assembled 
with  great  alacrity,  and,  iiided  by  some  small  parties  of  regular  troops,  annoyed 
'he  British  by  an  irregular  but  galling  fire  of  musketry,  wherever  the  nature  of 
the  ground  presented  a  favorable  opportunity  :  and  although  those  parties  were 
jiowhere  strong  enough  to  make  a  stand,  yet  they  gave  plain  indications  of  the  tem- 
per and  resolution  which  were  to  be  encountered  in  advancing  into  the  country. 

At  Connecticut  Farms  the  British  detachment  halted.  The  settlers  were 
known  to  be  zealous  in  the  American  cause,  and,  therefore,  with  a  base  spirit 
of  r(!venge,  the  British,  among  whom  was  General  Tryon,  laid  the  tlourishin" 
'illage,  with  the  church  and  minister's  house,  in  ashes.     Here  occurred  one  »f 


.'«4'J 


illL   I'lCrnlilAl.   HISTORY 


those  aft-ecl-.ig  inci-k'nts  whicli,  I.eii.K  .onu'wluit  out  ol  the  orJinury  fn.rse  o. 
,!..■  misem-s  of  war,  make  a  .le.p  impression  on  the  public  miml.  ^  f;  r*"''" 
well  minister  of  the  place,  ha.l  withdrawn  towanl  Sprin^UcId,  out  liml  1.-  i  hm 
wile  and  family  behind,  believing  them  to  be  in  no  *  a"ger  I  he  Hnnsh  ad- 
vanced to  the  industrious  and  peaceful  village.  Mrs.  Calawell,  tri.stino  to  her 
sex  for  safety,  and  unsuspicious  of  harm,  was  sitting  in  her  liouse  with  her 
cliildren  around  her,  when  a  soldier  came  up,  levelled  his  musket  at  the  window, 
and  shot  her  dead  on  the  spot  in  the  midst  of  h.>r  terrified  infants.  On  the  in- 
tercession of  a  friend,  the  dead  body  was  permitted  to  be  removed  before  the 

house  was  set  on  fire.  .         ,       .n 

This   atroeious  deed  excited  general  horror  and  detestation ;  but  Tryoii  wa« 
present,  and  his  conduct  on  other  occasions  was  not  free  (rem  acts  of  brutal  an.i 

oloodthirstv  ferocity.  i  e    ; 

\fter  destroying  the  Connecticut  Farms, Knyphausen  advanced  toward  bpnng- 
'ieid,  where  the  Jersey  brigade  under  General  Maxwell  and  a  large  body  of  mi- 
"itia,  had  taken   an   advantageous   position,  and  seemed   resolved  to  defend  it^ 
General  Knyphausen,  however,  had  met  with  a  reception  so  different  from  what 
he  expected,  that,  without  making  any  attempt  on  the  American  post,  he  with- 
drew during  the  night  to  Elizabethtown.  ,,,r    !•     ,       „,„ 
On  being  informed  of  the  invasion  of  New  Jersey,  General  Washingtoi,  put 
his  army  in  motion,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  day  in  which  Knyphaus.N 
inarched  from  Elizabethtown,  and  proceeded  to  the  Short  hills  behind  Spring- 
field  while  the  British  were  in  the  vicinity  of  that  place,     teeble  as  his  army 
was   he  made   the   necessary  dispositions   for  fighting;  but  the  unexpeciea  re- 
treal  of  Knyphausen  rendered  a  battle  unnecessary.    The  British  were  followed 
bv  an  Ameri^can  detachment,  which  attacked  their  rear-guard  next  morning,  but 
Was  repulsed.     Instead  of  returning  to  New  York,  Genera    Knyphausen  Im- 
crered   in  the  vicinity  of   Elizabethtown   and  on   Stateii  Island  ;  and  Genei*! 
Washington,  too  weak   to   hazard    an   engagement,   except   on    advantageous 
around,  remained  on  the  hills  near  Springfield  to  watch  the  movements  of  the 
British  army.     At  thai  time,  the  army  under  the  immediate  orders  of  General 
Washington  did  not  exceed  4,000  eflectivt  men.                    ^      ■    r-      r  .1 
On  the  18th  of  June  Sir   Henry  Clinton  returned  from  Soutn  Carolina,  witli 
about  4,000  men  ;  and,  after  receiving  this  reinforcement,  the  British  lorce  in 
New  York  and  its  .lependancies  amounted  to  12,000  effective  and  regular  troops, 
n.ost  of  whom  could  be  bn.ught  into  the  field  for  any  particular  service  ;  as  be- 
sides the.n  the  British  commander  had  about  4,000  militia  and  refugees  for  gar- 
rison  duty.     The  British  army  was  so  powerful  that  the  Arnencans  could  only 
follow  a  wary  policy,  occupying  strong  ground,  presenting  a  bold  front,  and  con- . 
cealiig  their  weakness  as  far  as  possible                 .         ,    ,      r           e  r>„„o,o 
Sir  Henry   Clinton  embarked  troops,  and  awakened  the  fears  of  Genera. 
Washington  lest  he  should  sail  up  the  Hudson  and  attack  the  posts  "'the  high- 
lands,    -rhose  posts  had  always  been  objects  of  much  solicitude  to  the  Amer  - 
can  commander,  and  he  was  extremely  jealous  of  any  attack  "P°";^«;^;^;"  «  j 
der  to  be  in  readiness  to  resist  any  such  attack  he  .  ft  General  Greene  a 
Springfield,  with  700  continentals,  the  Jersey  mihtia,  and  some  cavalry,  and 
proceeded  toward  Pompton  with  the  main  body  of  the  army. 
^  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  after  having  perplexed  the  Americans  by  his  movements 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  23d  of  June,  rapidly  advanced  in  full  ^rce  fro, 
•  Eliz^abethtown   toward  Springfield.      Genera     Greene   hastily  assembled    h 
scattered  detachments,  and  apprized  General  Washington  of  the  march  of  the 
royal  army,  who  instantly  returned  to  support  Greene's  division.      •»««"' f^ 
marched  in  two  columns  ;  one  on  the  main  road  leading  to  Springfield  and  the 
3ther  on  the  Vauxhall  road.     General  Greene  scarcely  had  time  to  collect  hi. 


I 


rJinury  oiirse  o.' 
i.i-.itl.  Mr.  Cal<l- 
1,  inii  li;i(l  1(  I'l  hiB 
Thfi  Hniisli  ad- 
il,  trusting  to  her 
:  house  with  licr 
et  at  ih(!  window, 
Ills.  On  the  in- 
moved  before  the 

I ;  but  Tryon  \va« 
acts  of  brutal  and 

ed  toward  Sprintr- 
hirge  body  of  mi- 
Ived  to  defend  it. 
ifTerent  from  what 
:aii  post,  he  with- 

il  Washington  put 
hich  Knyphausch 
lis  behind  Spring- 
^eble  as  his  army 
.he  unexpected  re- 
lish were  followed 
next  utorning,  but 
Knyphausen  liii- 
and  ;  and  Geneial 
on    advantageous 
movements  of  the 
orders  of  General 

)uth  Carolina,  with 
6  British  force  in 
and  regular  troops, 
ar  service  ;  as  be- 
id  refugees  for  gar- 
lericans  could  only 
bold  front,  and  con- 

1  fears  of  General 
e  posts  in  the  high- 
itude  to  the  Ameri- 

upon  them.  In  or- 
General  Greene  at 

some  cavalry,  and 

by  his  movements, 
in  full  force  from 
tily  assembled  his 
'  the  march  of  the 
ision.  The  British 
Springfield,  and  the 
time  to  collect  hit 


^■ 


UF  THE  AMP]RICAN   REVOLUTION. 


J4^ 


iroopj  at  Spiiiiuru'ld,  and  to  make  the  necessary  dispositions,  when  the  royal 
arniv  .ippeart'il  before  tiic  town,  and  a  cannonade  innnediately  began.  A  forda- 
ble  rivulet,  with  briilires  corresponding  to  the  iliiiercnt  roads,  runs  in  front  of  the 
place,  (jreene  liad  stationed  parties  to  guard  the  l)ridges,  and  ihey  obstinately 
lisjiiiied  the  passage  ;  i)ul  after  a  smart  coiiliict  they  were  overj)owered,  and 
coinpelied  to  retreat.  Greene  then  fell  back,  and  took  post  on  a  range  of  hills, 
where  he  expected  to  be  again  attacked.  But  the  British  instead  of  altenipting 
to  pm-sne  their  advantage,  contented  themselves  with  setting  iire  to  the  village, 
iind  laying  the  ureater  purr  of  it  in  aslies.  Discouraged  by  the  obstinate  resist- 
Hiice  ihev  had  receivecl,  they  imniodiatejy  retreated  to  Elizabetlitown,  i)ursued 
with  the  utmost  animosity  by  tlie  militia,  who  were  provoked  at  the  burning  of 
Spriimlield.  They  arrived  at  Elizabetlitown  about  sunset ;  and,  continuing  their 
iiiarcli  to  Elizabetli  pciini,  began  at  midnight  to  pass  over  to  Staten  Island.  Be- 
tWre  SIX  next  morning  iliey  had  entirely  evacuated  the  Jerseys,  and  removed  the 
!iriili;<'  of  boats  which  communicated  with  Staten  Island. 

Ill  till'  skirmish  at  Springfield  the  Americans  had  about  twenty  men  killed, 
and  sixty  wounded.  The  British  sufTered  a  corresponding  loss.  Sir  Henry 
(Minion's  object  in  this  expedition  seems  to  have  l)een  to  destroy  the  American 
maiiazines  in  that  part  of  the  country.  But  the  obstinate  resistance  which  he 
met  witli  at  Springfield  deterred  him  from  advancing  into  a  district  abounding  in 
dilUciilt  passes,  where  every  strong  position  would  lie  vigorously  defended.  He 
seems  also  to  have  been  checked  by  tlie  apprehension  of  a  fleet  and  army  from 
France. 

(ieneral  Washington  was  informed  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  march  soon  after 
llie  British  left  Elizabethtown  ;  but  though  he  hastily  returned,  the  skirmish  at 
Springfield  was  ov<!r  before  he  reached  the  vicinity  of  that  place. 

.After  Sir  Henry  Clinton  left  the  Jerseys,  General  Washington  planned  an  en 
torprise  against  a  British  post  at  Bergen  point,  on  the  Hudson,  opposite  New 
York,  garrisoned  by  seventy  loyalists.  It  was  intended  to  reduce  tne  post,  and 
also  to  carry  ofT  a  number  of  cattle  on  Bergen  Neck,  from  which  the  garrison 
of  New  York  occasionally  received  supplies  of  fresh  provisions.  General 
Wayne  was  appointed  to  conduct  the  enterprise.  With  a  respectable  force  he 
marched  agtiinst  the  post,  which  consisted  of  a  blockhouse  covered  by  an  abattis 
and  palisade.  General  Wayne  pointed  his  artillery  against  the  blockhouse,  but 
his  field-pieces  made  no  impression  on  the  logs.  Galled  by  the  fire  from  the 
loop-holes,  some  of  his  men  rushed  impetuously  through  the  abattis  and  at- 
tempted to  storm  the  blockhouse,  but  they  were  repulsed  with  considerable  loss. 
Though,  however,  the  Americans  failed  in  their  attempt  against  the  post,  they 
succeeded  in  driving  off  most  of  the  cattle. 

On  the  commencement  of  hostilities  in  Europe,  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette, 
who  had  so  early  and  so  zealously  embarked  in  the  cause  of  America,  returned 
heme  in  order  to  offer  his  services  to  his  king,  still,  however,  retaining  his  rank 
ill  the  army  of  congress.  His  ardor  in  behalf  of  the  Americans  remained  una- 
bated, and  he  exerted  all  his  influence  with  the  court  of  Versailles  to  gain  its 
effectual  support  to  the  United  States  :  his  efforts  were  successful,  and  the  king 
of  France  resolved  vigorously  to  assist  the  Americans  both  by  sea  and  land. 
Having  gained  this  important  point,  and  perceiving  that  there  was  no  need  for 
his  military  services  in  Europe,  he  obtained  leave  from  his  sovereign  to  return 
to  America  and  join  his  former  companions  in  arms.  He  landed  at  Boston 
toward  the  end  of  April ;  and,  in  his  way  to  congress,  called  at  the  headquarters 
of  General  Washington,  and  informed  him  of  the  powerful  succor  which  might 
noon  be  expected  from  France.  He  met  with  a  most  cordial  reception  both  from 
congress  and  the  commander-in-chief,  on  account  of  his  high  ranlf,  tried  friend- 
ship, and  distinguished  services. 


344 


TIIK   I'lCTORIAl,  HISTORY 


•riie  assistaiu-.,'  expected  from  ihoir  innverful  ally  was  vrry  ..nco-.ra^^nr  . 
tl,..  Americans,  but  call.M  for  corrivspoiulinK  exeriions  on  their  pari.  l.e  cmn- 
ma.ul.-r-in-chief  foimd  himself  in  the  most  perplexing  eircmnslances  :  his  army 
was  feeble,  and  he  could  form  no  plan  for  the  campaign  till  he  know  what  forces 
were  to  be  put  under  his  orders.  His  troops,  both  olUcers  a.vi  privates,  were 
ill  clothed,  and  ue.-ded  to  be  decently  api.arelled  before  they  ■.juld  be  led  in  n 
the  field  to  co-operate  with  soldiers  in  res|,ectable  unilori)-  -;  U  order  to  supply 
these  defects,  aiid  to  get  his  army  in  a  state  of  due  preparation  1  efore  the  arrival 
of  the  European  auxiliaries.  General  Washington  mad-  the  most  pressing  appii- 
cationsto  congress,  and  to  the  sevral  state  legislatures.  Congress  resolve. 
and  recoininende.l ;  but  the  states  were  dilatory,  and  their  tardy  proceedings  .11 
accorded  with  the  exiuen<-ies  o(  the  case,  or  with  the  expectations  oi  ihose  who 
bust  understood  the  atVairs  of  the  Union.  Even  on  the  4th  of  July,  the  con,, 
inander-in-chief  had  ihe  mortification  to  find  that  few  new  evies  had  arrived  in 
camp,  and  some  of  the  states  had  not  even  taken  the  trouble   to   inform   him  ol 

the  number  of  men  they  intendeil  to  furnish. 

In  the  month  of  June  the  stale  of  Massachusetts  had  resolved  to  send  a  rein- 
forcement,  but  no  part  of  it  had  yet  arrive.l.  About  the  same  time  a  volun  ary 
subscription  was  entered  into  in  Phihulelphia,  (or  ihe  purpose  ol  providing  boun- 
ties to  [ecruits  to  till  up  the  Pennsylvania  line  ;  and  the  president  or  vice-presi- 
dent  in  council  was  empowered,  if  circumstances  required  it,  to  put  the  state 
under  martial  law.  A  bank  also  was  established  lor  the  purpose  of  supplying 
the  armv  with  provisions  ;  and  a  number  of  gentlemen  engaged  to  support  it  to 
the  amount  of  189,000/.  sterling,  according  to  the  sums  afhxed  to  their  several 
names.  The  ladies  of  Phila.lelphia  were  ambitious  ol  sharing  the  bono  s  ol 
patriotism  with  their  fathers,  husban-ls,  and  brothers  ;  and  a  number  ol  them 
visited  every  house  in  the  city,  in  order  to  collect  a  sum  of  money  to  be  pre 
senled  to  the  army,  in  testimony  of  their  esteem  and  approbation.  i  he  money 
was  expended  on  cloth  for  shirts,  which  the  la.lies  made. 

In  tbe  midst  of  this  bustle  and  preparation,  the  expected  succors  from  France, 
consisting  of  a  fleet  of  eight  ships  of  the  line,  with  frigates  arid  other  vessels 
under  the  Chevalier  de  Ternav,  having  about  6,000  troops  on  board  unde  the 
Count  de  Rochambeau,  arrive.l  at  Rhode  Island  on  the  evening  ol  the  lOUi  of 
July  ■  and,  in  a  few  days  afterward,  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  arrived  at  New- 
port from  the  Americaii  headquarters,  to  confer  with  his  countrymen. 

At  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  French  in  Rhode  Island,  Admiral  Arbuthnol 
had  only  four  sail  of  the  line  at  New  York  ;  but.  in  a  few  days,  Admiral  Graves 
arrive.l  from  England  with  six  sail  of  the  line,  which  gave  the  British  a  decided 
superi.)rity  to  the  hostile  squadron  ;  and,  therefore,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  without 
delay  prepared  tor  active  operations.  He  embarked  ab.nit  8,000  men,  an<l  sail- 
ed with  the  fleet  to  Huntington  bay  in  Long  Island,  with  the  intention  of  pro- 
ceeding against  the  French  at  Newport.  The  .™i|>"%»f  ^f ^^f  ^^"7"', ""'^ 
Connecticut  were  ordered  to  join  their  new  allies  in  Rhode  Island,  and  the  com 
biue.1  army  there  thought  itself  able  to  give  the  British  a  good  reception. 

As  the  garrison  of  New  York  was  weakened  by  the  sailing  of  the  armamen 

under   the    British  commander-in-chief,  General   Washington,  having  receive.^ 

considerable  reinforcements,  suddenly   crossed   the    North   river  and   advanced 

towar.l  New  York  ;  that  movement  brought  Sir   Henry  Chnton  back  to  defetid 

he  place  ;  an.l,  cons.-quently,  the  American  commander  proceeded  no  farther  in 

his  meditated  enterprise.  i   ■      .u      a  „„,;  •  n 

The  want  of  moiiev  and  of  all  necessaries  aill  continued  m  the  AmeriuaD 
camp  ;  an.l  the  .lisc.ntent  of  the  troops  gra.luady  increased.  T..e  men,  indeeU, 
bore  incredible  hardships  and  privations  with  unexampled  fortitude  and  patience  , 
but  the  aMny  was  in  a  state  of  constant  fluctuation ;  it  was  composed,  in  a  greai 


I 


V  fiioi)i;r;ii,'in^   . 

part.     'I'lie  com- 
Uiiicfs  :   liis  army 

know  what  furct^i 
ii'i  privates,  werf 
jjuld  1)0  led  iiiti 
III  order  to  supply 
1 1  elore  the  arrival 
osl  pressiiif^  appli- 
Joiigress  resolvi'rl 
(ly  proceedings  il 
tionn  of  those  who 
of  July,  the  com- 
es had  arrived  in 
to  inform  him  of 

ed  to  send  a  rein- 
time  a  voluntary 
of  providing  boun- 
denl  or  vice-presi- 
;,  to  put  the  state 
rpose  of  supplying 
lid  to  support  it  to 
nl  to  their  sevcra' 
ing  the  honors  of 
a  number  of  them 
money  to  be  pre 
lion.     The  money 

iccors  from  France, 
and  other  vessels 
ti  board  under  the 
ling  of  the  10th  of 
tte  arrived  at  New- 
itrymen. 

Admiral  Arbuthnol 
ys,  Admiral  Graves 
le  British  a  decided 
iry  (Minton  without 
1,000  men,  and  sail- 
le  intention  of  pro- 
Maasachusetts  and 
[sland,  and  the  com 
»d  reception, 
ig  of  the  armament 
311,  having  received 
river,  and  advanced 
ton  back  to  defend 
needed  no  farther  in 

d  in   the   AmericuB 

Tl.e  men,  indeed, 

■titude  and  patience ; 

jomposed,  in  a  great 


OV    IWE   AMERICAN   Hi;\  0[,l"l'I().\. 


JIa 


measure,  of  inililia  liara^s.-d  l.y  ii.-rpiii.al  service,  and  o!)li4.d  lo  nej-iect  the 
lulination  of  tlifir  tariiis  and  th.ir  private  iiiU'resfs,  in  order  ki  ohry  tlie  calls  o 
pul)lic  (Inty,  and  of  aoldiers  on  short  eidistments,  who  never  aciuiied  the  inilitarT 
spirit  and  liabits.  '' 

In  fonsequ.-nce  of  an  appointment,  (Jeneral  Washington  and  suite  se;  out  u 
a  conference  with  Count  Rochambeau  and  Admiral  Teinay,  and,  on  •>  .  r'at  . 


Fio.  1 14.— Count  de  Rochambeau. 
September,  met  them  at  Haitford  in  Connecticut,  where  th»y  spent  a  few  dav8 
Kgether,  and  conversed  about  a  plan  for  the  next  cai-.,„,ign  " 

he  season  was  now  far  advanced  :  no  action  of  importance  had  been  achieved 
Ji.  the  Hudson  by  either  party,  and  the  campaign  in  that  quarf*  seemed  about 
to  close  without  anything  remarkable,  when  both  armies  were  suddenly  rouse.l. 

\f        "a""."'  ^"'^  '"  ^'"""f^  ""'"^  ^""^"^•'*  '»"ch  agitatul,  by  the  execu- 
'^oii  ol  .Major  Andre. 

Intheeariypanuf  August,  when  General  Washington  meditated  an  attack 

l:rnl„      TV.  !  r^  m"    ''f- '  ^r"^'"^  ^■"""'^  «'»™''l  ^^^^  ^  Command  in  the 

el    dntv      r  ^--"f  J^*^'"'^'!  ■'  ^'""gi"g  'I'^'t  l':«  lameness  disqualifie.i  h.m 

or  held  duty.     Genera    Washington  knew  him  to  be  a  .elfish  man  ;  but,  having 

■  m  STe"l      V  '1'^''"^  '"  ^''^  ^'"*^"^'"'  ^«"«*^'  '"■•  -hich  he  hWl  pmfessed 
he  en  nan,  o?  W  'I  p'"  '"^"y  .^^^"'""^.'^PPointed  him  at  his  own  desire,  tc 
1  MdZ      Of  l^t,^''',"'  '"'^  ''«  'l<^P^nJ«»nes,  a  most  important  post  on  the 
i 'al mis    ».d  liw  ^  \^.'^"^r ^«  «"  'hat  river  General  Washington  was  extremeU 
icrn;  K  ?  n  ^"r""  to  prevent  the  British  from  establishing  a  commu 

it^ri  rH",,^'"'^'w"'^  S*^"  ^-'^^y'^'-  I'^kes  Champlain  !nd  George 
.  u  Htio.  Ill  rib  ^^«'.f^"'"'-'='«  considered  a  principal  key  of  that  com 
municatioi  and,  by  the  appou.tment  to  the  commai.J  of  it,  Arnold  was  put  into 
a  place  of  high  trust  and  confidence.  ^ 

Lnn'!"rI.!.!l''L°'^'K'''  '"'P^!"';"«  '""•  'I««perate  rather  than  cool  and   intrepid,  ano 

t;    ,2'rif,';"^^^^  betray  the  American  cause, 

and  entered  into  negotiations  with  the  British  commande-'-in-chief  for  that  nur 
.".se.      The  surrender  of  West  Point,  he  was  well  aware,  would  grit  fyhii  Z. 


i4r- 


THE   PICTORIAI,   HI  sin  in 


OF  THE  AMKKIC.W  U  l-lVoM   TION. 


34V 


friends  ;  ;unl  lit'  wislipil  to  inflict  a  dcMiIly  v.oiiinl  on  liis  did  associates,  whom 
le  hated  the  more  because  he  intended  to  hetray  tliem.  Ambitious  and  Sfld.sh, 
lond  of  ostetitation  and  magnificence,  his  expenditure  had  exceeded  his  income  j 
and,  in  order  to  supply  his  exiravaf,'ance,  he  had  engaged  in  trade  and  privateer- 
ing. His  speculations  proved  unsuccessful  ;  his  funds  were  exhausted  ;  and 
his  creditors  became  clamorous,  .\bout  the  month  of  July,  1779,  he  presented 
liea\7  accounts  against  the  public,  but  the  commissioners  rejected  about  one 
iialf  of  his  demanrls  ;  he  appealed  to  congress  ;  but  a  committee  of  that  body 
reported  that  the  commissioners  had  allowed  him  more  than  he  had  any  right  to 
demand  or  expect.  Irritated  and  inflamed  by  this  treatment,  embarrassed  in  his 
circumstances,  and  encumbered  with  an  expensive  family,  he  resolved  to  rais 
a  fortune  on  the  ruins  of  his  character,  and  to  commit  the  foulest  treason  in  or^ 
to  gratify  at  once  his  ambition  and  revenge. 

in  the  vuiifac  of  the  year  1779,  Major   Andre,  adjutant-general  of  the  Britjnh 


Major  Andri, 

tnny,  a  young  officer  of  distinguished  talents  and  acquirements,  had  entered  into 
a  correspondence  with  Mrs.  Arnold,  on  pretence  of  supplying  her  with  miliiaery 
goods  ;  that  correspondence  ripened  into  treason  on  the  part  of  Arnold.  After 
his  nomination  to  the  command  of  West  Point,  the  Vulture  sloop-of-war  was 
stationed  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  the  North  river,  at  such  a  distance  from  the 
American  works  as  to  excite  no  suspicion,  but  near  enough  to  facilitate  the  cor- 
respondence which  was  carrying  on.  Uefore  that  time  there  had  been  a  written 
ccrrespondcnce,  through  other  channels,  between  Arnold  and  Andre,  under  the 
assumed  names  of  Giistavus  and  Anderson.  In  order  to  bring  the  negotiatioi; 
to  a  speedy  close,  Arnold  wished  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  send  a  confidential  per- 
son to  hold  a  conference  with  him  ;  unhappily  the  amiable  and  accomplished 
/\ndre  was  selected  for  the  consummation  of  a  work  in  which  he  was  already 
too  mucii  implicated. 

On  the  night  of  the  21st  of  September,  a  boat  sent  by  Arnold  carried  Andr«< 
from  the  Vulture,  and  landed  him  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  where  he  met  Arnold 
without  the  American  posts.  The  day  was  about  to  dawn  befort  the  negotiation 
WHS  finished ;  and  Andre  was  told  that  it  was  necessary  he  should  remain  con- 


d\S 


THR   IMcroUlAL  HISTORY 


iH'iil<'il  till  iK'Xt  nisilit  ;  for  !li;it  |)iir|iiiHc  Im  \v;is  comlmti'd  witliiii  the  Anx'rirun 
lines,  ciiiiirjiry  to  liis  |iri'vioiis  sii|)iiliiiioii  ami  iiiiciitioii,  find  wiiliiiut  liis  kiioui 
edtrt'.  Ho  spent  the  day  with  Arnold.  Next  iiiijlit  the  hoatineii  refused  to  carry 
liiin  bai-k  to  the  Vulture",  heeaiise  she  had  shifted  her  ground  in  order  to  he  In- 
yond  the  reach  of  a  cannon  which  had  heen  mounted  to  annoy  her  ,  and  lie  wa-i 
ohlii;ed  to  attempt  an  escape  by  land.  He  now  chaiijfed  his  uniform,  which  li>' 
had  hitherto  worn  mider  a  surtont,  for  a.  common  coat ;  and  having  procured  :i 
horse,  was,  under  the  name  of  John  Anderson,  furnished  with  a  passport  l«y 
Arnold  to  jjo  to  the  lines  at  White  Plains,  or  lower  if  he  thought  proper,  as  he 
was  on  puhlic  hiisiness. 

Thus  cipiipped,  Andre  set  out  alone,  and  proceeded  on  his  journey  towanl 
New  York.  He  pas.^e,!  the  American  guards  and  posts  on  the  road  without. 
suspici(m  ;  hut  .\rnold  had  a  scouting  party,  chielly  militia,  scouring  the  country 
hetween  the  outposts  of  the  two  armies.  As  Andre  prosecuted  his  journey  next 
day,  and  llaitered  himself  that  all  danirer  was  past,  a  man  snddeidy  sprang  from 
a  covert  and  seized  his  horse's  Itridle.  Surprised  by  the  unexpected  onset,  the 
major  lost  his  presence  of  mind  ;  mistaking  the  man  for  a  IJriiish  partisan,  in- 
stead of  presenting  his  passport,  he  declared  himself  a  British  otiicer,  and  askivl 
perinis,'<ioii  to  proceed  :  l)i!l  two  other  militia-m(Mi  coming  up  at  the  moment,  fh« 
party  n  fuse  1  to  let  him  ?o,  though  he  ollered  them  tiie  most  tempting  rewards. 
'I'hey  conducted  liiin  to  Colonel  .l.imieson.  tin-  -iiricer  <ommanding  the  scouting 
party,  before  whom  he  appeared  as  .lohn  Anderson  ;  choosing  rather  to  encoun- 
ter every  hazard,  than,  bv  a  disclosure  of  his  real  character,  to  involve  Arnold 
in  jeopardy  before  he  hail  warniiisi  to  provide  for  his  saftUy. 

Anilre  had  heen  ilisconcerted,  and  his  i)resence  of  mind  had  forsaken  him  on 
his  sudden  and  unexi)ected  seizure  ;  but,  more  alive  to  .\rnold's  danuur  than  his 
own,  he  discovered  his  ingenuity  in  pnvcuring  .lamieson's  permission  to  give 
that  ollicer  notice  of  his  apprehension.  Kven  before  that  time  Jamieson  had 
entertained  suspicions  of  Arnold's  lidelity  ;  and  although  those  suspicious  must 
now  have  been  strengthened  (»r  coiifirmed,  yet  he  permitted  a  note  to  bo  sent  to 
Arnold,  giving  him  notice  of , lohn  Anderson's  detention. 

Several  papers  were  found  in  one  of  Major  Andre's  !)oi>ts,  all  in  Arnold's  hand- 
writing, which  contained  an  exact  acc(Mint  of  the  state  o(  West  Point  and  its  depend 
ancies,  with  remarks  on  the  works,  an  estimate  of  the  number  of  men  ordinarily 
on  duly  in  the  place,  ami  a  copy  of  the  state  of  matters  which  had  been  laid  before 
a  couilcil  of  war  by  the  American  coininander-in  chief  on  the  GlIi  of  the  month. 
All  those  papers  Jamieson  enclosed  under  cover  to  General  Washington,  with  a 
letter  from  the  |)risoner,  in  which  he  avowed  himself  to  be  Major  John  Andre, 
adjutant-general  of  the  British  armv.  related  the  man,'  r  of  his  apprehension,  and 
endeavored  to  vindicate  himself  fnnn  th(^  imi.iitation  of  being  a  spy. 

General  Washingt(m  was  then  returning  from  his  conference  with  the  French 
coininaiider3  at  Hartford  ;  and  Jamieson's  messenger  missed  him  by  taking  a 
different  road  from  that  in  which  the  general  was  travelling,  .\riiold  received  the 
notice  of  Anders<in's  detention  some  hours  before  General  Wasliington  arrived  at 
West  Point,  and  immediately  consulted  his  safety  by  hastening  on  board  the 
Vulture  sloop-of-war,  which  lav  in  the  river  some  miles  below  Verpl.ink's  jwint. 

On  opening  the  packet  froi"  Jamieson  at  West  Point,  General  Washington 
discoved  Arnold's  treason,  and  lok  prompt  and  eireclual  measures  for  '  ■>  secn- 
ritv  of  the  post,  ordering  to  it  two  brigades  from  the  nearest  division  ol  i;ie  main 

*rmy 

After  allowing  time  for  the  notice  of  his  detenlion  to  reach  Arnold,  Major  An- 
dr^  laid  aside  all  disguise,  and  avowed  who  he  was.  His  behavior  was  frank 
and  ingenuous  ;  and  he  seemed  anxious  for  nothing  but  the  vindication  of  his 
character  Irom  the  imputations  which  the  circumstances  of  his  apprehension  ap 


ti  the  AiniTicun 
hout  hi^4  knowi 
1  rcfiiscci  lo  c.'irrv 
1  order  to  Ix*  Ih-- 
ler  ,  and  he  w.-i'* 
lilbrm,  which  hi; 
villi,'  procured  :i 
1  a  passport  l>v 
ht  proper,  as  ho 

jouriify  toward 
lie  road  without, 
iriiis;  the  foiintry 
his  jouriK'y  ik-xI 
'Illy  sprang  from 
pccted  oiisi't,  till- 
tish  partisan,  iii- 
)tliccr,  and  asked 

tlie  moincnt,  ih" 
•inptinn  rewards, 
iiii,'  the  Bcoiitiii" 
rather  to  eiicoiiii- 
i)  involve  Arnold 

forsaken  him  on 
i  danuer  than  his 
rniission  to  give 
U!    Jamieson   lui'l 

suspicions  niiist 
[lote  to  bo  sent  to 

in  Arnold's  hand- 
int  and  its  depend 
of  men  ordinarily 
(I  heen  laid  before 
Oili  of  the  inonlli. 
ashiiigton,  with  a 
lajor  John  Andre, 
a|iprt;hen8it)n,  and 
spy. 

i  with  the  F'reiicli 
him  by  taking  a 
mold  received  the 
hiiigton  arrived  at 
iiig  on  board  the 
Verphmk's  point, 
neral  VV'asliington 
lure.s  for  '  ■■  secii- 
vision  of  i;ie  main 

Arnold,  Major  An- 

jhavior  was  frank 

vindication  of  his 

apprehension  ap 


Thk  Ki,u;nr  ok  Arnold. 


OF  THE  AMKIUCAN   HKVOLUTION 


Ml» 


Fio.  117.— Benedict  Amnld,  the  Traitor. 

Beared  to  caat  upon  him.  Ci  iieral  Wasbineftoii  apjMjiiitcd  a  board  of  officers,  ot 
which  Greent!  was  president,  and  La  Fiiyctte,  Steul)en,  and  oihers^  were  meni- 
Ders,  to  inouire  into  the  case  of  Major  Andre,  and  to  report  in  what  character  he 
was  to  be  considered,  and  what  punisinnent  lie  deserved.  Even  during  the 
-'lort  time  that  Andre  was  in  the  power  of  tlie  Americans,  and  notwithstanding 
tlif  unliappy  circumstances  in  wliich  he  was  placed,  Ids  behavior  and  talents 
made  a  highly  favorable  impression  on  their  r.iinds ;  and  when  brought  before 
.he  board, the  members  behaved  toward  him  with  the  \itmost  respect  and  delicacy, 
and  told  him  not  to  answer  any  cjuestions  that  might  embarrass  his  feelings 
But  ill  that  crisis  of  his  fate,  Andre  magnanimously  disregarded  everything  but 
his  honor.  He  gave  a  candid  recital  of  circumstances,  concealing  nothing  that 
rrgaraed  himself;  but  making  no  disclosures  to  inculpate  others.  He  acknowl- 
edge.! everything  that  was  reckoned  essential  to  his  condemnation,  and  the 
^ard  of  general  officers  to  whotn  his  case  was  referred,  without  calling  any 
ivitnes&es,  considered  merely  that  he  had  been  within  their  lines  in  disguise, 
and  reported  that  in  their  opinion  Major  Andre  was  a  spy,  and  ought  to  suffer 
death.  The  sentence  was  ordered  to  he  carried  into  execution  on  the  day  after 
it  was  declared. 

The  apprehension  of  Major  Andr^  excited  a  lively  sensation  in  the  British 
army,  which  felt  a  strong  interest  in  his  fate  ;  for  he  was  dear  to  all  his  com- 
panions in  arms,  and  especially  to  the  commander-in-chief,  who  immediately,  by 
a  i\ii^  of  truce,  opened  a  correspondence  with  General  Washington,  and  urged 
every  consideration  of  justice,  policy,  and  humanity,  in  favor  of  Andr6.  Find- 
ing his  letters  ineffectual,  he  despatched  General  Robertson  to  confer  with  Gen- 
eral Washington  on  the  subject,  or  with  any  officer  whom  he  might  appoint. 
He  was  met  by  General  Greene ;  but  no  mitigation  of  the  doom  could  be  pro- 
cured. On  the  day  before  his  execution,  Majo:  A.'.dre  wrote  an  affecting  letter 
to  General  Washington,  requesting  to  be  put  lo  d.  lu'..  like  a  soldier,  and  not  as 
.i  malefactor ;  but  the  board  of  general  officers  tr-  whom  everything  respecting 
liiiii  was  referred,  did  not  grant  his  request  i  'jc  2d  of  October  closed  the 
irairical  scene :  on  that  day  the  major  was  led  out  and  hanged,  supporting  his 
liiilh  character  to  the  last  moment.  He  suffered  amid  the  admiration  and  regrets 
even  of  the  American  officers  ;  while  his  death  was  deeply  lamented  in  the 
llriiish  army.  He  was  a  young  man  of  an  amiable  character,  engaging  man- 
Qera,  and  fine  talents  and  acquirements.     By  a  striking  comb-    ition  of  circum- 


MO 


THE  PfCTOUIAt,  HISTORY 


Btufices,  he  was  leil  to  an  end  of  •.vliicli  lie  « its  .vlit>ily  uiiwo'-'.hy.  Sir  H*  nn- 
(Million  nridc  rvcry  I'tFort  to  savf  liiin,  l)iit  li-      .incr'    uis  were  ini'xor^iblt!. 

Kvcii  Arnold  Imd  ihi-  cirrontt-ry  lo  wrile  to  i  an-  r:il  Wa^liin^ton  <>n  llie  occii- 
Hion,  utti'fiiinK  .siicli  facts  as  Im  hflu'Vrd  tavorahlt-  to  Andrr.  Hut  what  rchamt! 
«()uld  l>i'  placi'd  on  iho  tcsiiniony  of  a  niaf  (■a|)ahlt!  of  -iicli  foul  treason  '.  Hi' 
also  tliroatoiiud  (lie  (rcncral,  anil  rcinindfd  liini  that  many  of  tlie  inhabitants  of 
South  (Jarohna  luil  reiiih-rcd  thcnisfjves  Uahlo  to  rnihtary  execution. 

Arnold  endeavored  to  vindicate  his  conduct  by  |)leadinn  hostility  to  the  alli- 
ance with  France  ;  and  he  attempted  io  induce  otiuirs  to  imitate  his  example  , 
bill  no  plea  can  justify  his  attempt  toe,ii|)loy  the  power  committed  to  him  for  ilit; 
ruin  of  those  who  had  trusted  him  ;  some  of  whom,  perhaps,  had  been  encour- 
Ui^ed  by  his  example  and  excitement  to  take  up  arms  airainst  the  British  autlmr- 
ily.  The  name  of  Arnold  nuist  <;o  down  to  posterity  loaded  with  all  the  infamy 
of  a  traitor :  and  it  were  for  the  honor  of  human  nature,  and  the  common  ad- 
vantage of  nations,  if  all  governments  would  miite  in  manifesting;  their  detesta- 
tion of  auch  viJlanies. 

After  the  melancholy  event  now  relati'd,  no  military  transactions  of  much  im- 
portance were  carrierl  on  in  the  north  (Uirini;  the  remainder  of  the  campai<{n. 
On  the  2l8t  of  November,  indeed,  Major  Talinailjjo  performed  a  brilliant  expiciii 
of  desultory  warfare.  Hein;;  informed  that  tlie  British  had  a  larj^e  nia<ruzinc  nl 
forage  nt  Coram,  on  Lon;r  Island,  protected  by  a  small  garrisijn  at  Fort  .St. 
George  on  South  Haven  in  its  vicinity,  \w  crossed  the  sound  wh(!re  it  w.-i-; 
upward  of  20  miles  broad;  and,  with  nearly  100  men,  surprised  the  fort;  niadr 
the  garrison,  upward  of  60  in  number,  prisoners;  burnt  the  magazines  at  Coram; 
and,  escaping  the  British  cruisers,  recrossed  the  sound  without  losing  a  man. 
On  the  other  hand,  Major  Carleton,  at  the  head  of  a  thousand  men,  Europeans, 
Indians,  and  loyalists,  made  a  HiidihMi  irrujuion  into  the  northern  parts  of  the 
Slate  of  New  York,  took  the  forts  .Vinie  and  George,  and  made  the  garrisons  pris- 
oners At  the  same  tiint!,  Sir  .John  .lohnston,  at  tlie  head  of  a  body  of  a  similar 
description,  appeared  on  thi!  Mohawk.  Several  smart  skirmishes  were  fouifht. 
But  both  of  those  parlies  were  obliged  to  retire,  laying  waste  the  country  throutjh 
which  they  passed. 

On  the  approach  of  winter  both  armies  went  into  winter  quarters.  General 
Washington  stationed  the  Pennsylvania  line  near  Morristown  ;  the  Jersey  line, 
al)OUt  Pompton,  on  the  conlines  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  ;  the  troops  of 
New  England,  in  West  Point  and  its  vicinity,  on  both  sides  of  the  North  river ; 
and  the  troops  of  New  York  remained  at  Albany,  whither  they  had  been  sent  to 
oppose  the  invasion  of  Carleton  and  Johnston. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  year,  an  agreement  for  an  exchange  of  prisoners  was 
entered  into  between  General  Philips  and  General  Lincoln.  The  former  had 
been  an  American  prisoner  since  the  convention  of  Saratoga,  and  the  latter  in  the 
power  of  the  British  since  tlie  surrender  of  Charleston.  Hitherto  congress  had 
shown  no  forwardness  to  enter  into  arrangements  for  a  general  exchange  of  pris- 
oners. That  body  was  aware  of  the  great  expense  of  recruiting  the  British 
army  from  Europe ;  and  of  the  slender  accession  of  strength  which,  owinij  lo 
short  enlistments,  their  own  military  force  would  derive  from  a  release  of  pris- 
oners. They  considered  a  general  exchange  unfavorable  to  their  cause  ;  but 
many  of  their  regular  troops  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  by  the  capit- 
ulation of  Charleston,  and  the  defeat  of  Gates  at  Camden.  The  complaints  of  the 
prisoners  and  of  their  friends  were  loud  ;  and  congress  agreed  to  a  general  ex- 
change :  but  the  convention  troops  of  Saratoga  were  detained  prisoners  till  th^ 
".nd  of  the  war. 

Lot  us  now  return  to  the  southern  states.  After  the  battle  of  Camden,  Corn- 
wallis  was  unable  to  follow  up  the  victory  with  his  usual  activity.    His  little  irmv 


"1 


OF  'I'lIK  AMKIIICAN    UHVOI.I'I'IDN 


3:.i 


iwonhy.  Sir  H*  i\n- 
fere  iiii'xonible. 
liill>{ti)ll  1)11  llie  ()Ci;i- 
Hut  what  reliaiK  e 
li  foul  treason  !  H"' 
)f  the  inlial)ilaiila  of 
'xecutioii. 

liostility  to  the  alii- 
iiiiitato  his  example  , 
luiitted  to  liim  fur  the 
IS,  liail  been  eiicour- 
St  the  Britisli  author- 
il  with  all  the  infamy 
(1(1  the  connnun  ail- 
ifestinj;  their  detesta- 

sactions  of  much  im- 
Jer  of  the  campaiKu. 
iiP(l  a  brilliant  exploit 

a  larpfe  niiiyazini'  cil 
garrison  at  Fort  St. 

souiiil  where  it  w:n 
rised  the  fort:  made 
magazines  at  Coriini ; 
ithout  losing  a  man. 
and  men,  Europeans, 
northern  parts  of  the 
ide  the  garrisons  pris- 
:)f  a  body  of  a  sinniar 
irmishes  were  fouifhi. 
te  the  country  ilirout[li 

r  quarters.  General 
)wn  ;  the  Jersey  line, 
ersey  ;  the  troops  of 
IS  of  the  North  river  ; 
they  had  been  sent  to 

ange  of  prisoners  was 
)ln.  The  former  had 
1,  and  the  latter  in  the 
Hitherto  congress  liad 
leral  exchange  of  pris- 
recrniting  the  British 
angth  which,  owiiiu'  lo 
rom  a  release  of  pris- 
)  to  their  cause  ;  liut 
e  British,  by  the  capit- 
The  complaints  of  the 
^reed  to  a  general  ex- 
ained  prisoners  till  the 

ttle  of  Camden,  Corn- 
tivity.    His  little  irmv 


iras  diminished  bv  the  sword  and  I)y  disease.  He  had  not  brought  with  him  from 
Chatleston  the  stores  necessaiy  tor  an  iinniediate  pursuit  of  the  enemy;  and  lie 
ilid  not  <U'em  it  expedient  to  leave  South  Carolina  till  he  had  suppressed  that 
SI  irit  of  resistance  to  his  authority  which  had  extensively  manifested  itself  in 
:he  province.  In  order  to  consi/nunale,  as  he  thought,  the  .subjugation  of  the 
mute,  he  resorted  to  measures  of /real  seventy.  Hit  set  uied  to  forget  that  many 
iif  the  inhabitants  had  been  received  as  prisouers-of-war  on  parole  ;  that,  with' 
out  their  ctmsent,  their  parole  had  been  discharged  ;  and  that,  merely  by  a  prot- 
lamation,  they  had  been  declared  British  subjects,  instead  of  prisoners-of-war. 

In  a  lew  d'avs  alter  the  battle  of  (,'ainden,  when  Cornwiillis  thought  the  coun- 
try was  l\-uiL'  jiroslrale  at  his  feet,  he  addressed  the  following  letter  to  t!ie  com- 
nianilant  of  the  Briti.sh  garrison  at  Ninety-Six  :  "  1  have  given  orders  that  all 
♦.he  inliabitanis  of  this  province  who  tiave  subscribed,  and  taken  part  in  the  re- 
volt, should  be  punished  with  the  utmost  rigor  ;  and  also  those  who  will  not 
urn  out.  that  they  may  bo  imprisoned,  and  their  whole  property  taken  from  them 
or  destr(.yed.  I  have  also  (>rdered  that  compensation  should  be  made  oui  of 
these  estates  to  the  per.sons  who  have  been  injured  or  oppressed  by  them.  I 
have  ordered,  in  the  most  positive  manner,  that  every  militiaman  who  has  home 
arms  with  us,  tind  afterward  joined  the  enemy,  shall  be  immediately  himged.  I 
desire  ytni  will  take  the  most  vigorous  measures  to  punish  the  rebels  in  the  dis- 
trict you  command,  and  that  you  obey,  in  the  strictest  manner,  the  directions  I 
have  given  in  this  letter  relative  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  country."  Similar 
orders  were  given  to  the  commanders  of  other  posts. 

In  atiy  circumstances,  such  orders  given  to  olFiccrs,  often  possessing  little 
knowledge,  and  as  little  prudence  or  humanity,  could  not  fail  to  produce  calami- 
tous elVects.  In  the  case  uinler  consideration,  where  all  the  worst  passions  of 
the  heart  were  irritated  and  intlamed,  the  consequences  were  lamentable.  The 
orders  were  executed  in  the  spirit  in  which  they  were  given.  Numbers  of  per- 
sons were  put  to  death  :  many  were  imprisoned,  and  their  property  was  destroy- 
ed or  confiscated.  The  country  was  covered  with  blood  and  desolation,  raiicoi 
and  grief  Women  and  children  were  turned  out  of  doors,  and  often  sl.iughtered, 
and  their  houses  and  substance  consumed. 

The  prisoners  on  parole  thought  they  had  a  clear  right  to  take  arms ;  for  from 
their  jiarole  they  had  been  released  by  the  proclamation  of  the  20th  of  June, 
which,  indeed,  called  them  to  the  duty  of  subjects,  a  condition  to  which  they 
had  never  consented  ;  and  therefore  they  reckoned  that  they  had  as  good  a  right 
to  resume  their  arms  as  the  British  commander  had  to  enjoin  their  allegiance. 
The  case  of  those  who  had  taken  British  protections,  in  the  full  persuasion  thai 
they  were  to  be  allowed  to  live  peaceably  on  their  estates,  but  who,  on  finding 
that  they  must  fight  on  one  side  or  other,  had  repaired  to  the  standards  of  theii 
country,  was  equally  hard.  Deception  and  violence  were  practised  against  both. 
So  long  as  the  struggle  appeared  doubtful,  the  colonists  met  with  fair  promises 
and  kind  treatment ;  but  at  the  moment  when  resistance  seemed  hopeless,  and 
obedience  necessary,  they  were  addressed  in  the  tone  of  authority,  heard  stern 
commands  and  bloody  threatenings,  and  received  harsh  usage.  Hence  the 
province,  which  for  some  time  presented  the  stillness  of  peace,  again  put  on  the 
ruthless  aspect  of  v/ar. 

.V  number  of  persons  of  much  respectability  remained  prisoners-of-war  in 
Charleston,  since  the  capitulation  of  that  town  ;  but,  after  the  battle  of  Camden, 
Cornwallis  ordered  them  to  be  carried  out  of  the  province.  Accordingly,  early 
in  the  morning  of  the  27th  of  August,  some  of  the  principal  citizens  of  Charles- 
ton were  taken  out  of  bed,  put  on  board  a  guard-ship,  and  soon  afterward  trans- 
ported to  St.  Augustine.     They  remonstrated  with  Lieutenant-Colonel  Balfour 


352  THE    PICTORIAL    HISTORY 

ihf  coinmaiidaiit  of  Charleston,  but  experienced  only  the  insolence  of  authority 

Iroiu  thiU  officer.  .  .  , 

While  Cornwallis  endeavored,  by  severe  measures,  to  break  the  spirits  ol  the 
people,  and  to  establish  the  royal  authority  in  South  Carolina,  he  did  not  lose 
sight  of  his  ulterior  projects.  He  sent  emissaries  into  North  Carolina  to  excite 
the  loyalists  there,  and  to  assure  them  of  the  speedy  march  of  the  British  army 
into  that  province.  On  the  8th  of  September  he  left  Camden,  and  toward  the 
end  of  the  month  arrived  at  Charlotte  town,  in  North  Carolina  ;  of  which  place 
he  took  possession  after  a  slight  resistance  from  some  volunteer  cavalry  under 
Colonel  Davie.  Though  symptoms  of  opposition  manifested  themselves  at 
Cliarlotte  vet  he  advanced  toward  Salisbury,  and  ordered  his  imliiia  to  cross 
the  Yadkin  But  Cornwallis  was  suddenly  arrested  in  his  victorious  career  by 
an  unexpected  disaster.  He  made  every  exertion  to  i  Jy  the  U-affecied 
inhabitants  of  the  country,  and  to  form  them  into  a  British  milit^.  For  that 
purpose  he  employed  Major  Ferguson,  of  theTlst  regiment,  an  officer  of  much 
merit,  with  a  small  detachment,  in  the  district  of  Ninety-Six,  to  tram  the  loyal- 
ists,  and  to  attach  them  to  his  own  party.  From  the  operations  of  that  officer 
he  expected  the  most  important  services. 

Ferguson  executed  his  commission  with  activity  and  zeal ;  collected  a  large 
number  of  loyalists,  and  committed  great  depredations  on  the  friends  of  indepen- 
dence in  the  back  settlements.     When  about  to  return  to  the  mam  army  in  tri- 
umph he  was  detained  by  one  of  those  incidents  which  occasionally  occur  m 
war,  and  influence  the  course  of  events  and  the  destiny  of  nations.     A  Colonef 
Clarke  of  Georgia,  who  had  fled  from  that  province  on  its  reduction  by  Camp- 
bell in  1779,  had  retired  to  the  northwaid  ;  and,  having  collected  a  number  oi 
followers  in  the  Carolinas,  he  returned  to  his  native  province,  at  the  head  ot 
about  700  men  ;  and,  while  Cornwallis  was  marching  from  Camden  to  Charlotte 
town,  attacked  the  British  post  at  Augusta.     Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown,  who 
commanded  at  that  place  with  a  garrison  of  about  150  provincials,  aided  by  some 
friendly  Indians,  finding  the  town  untenable,  retired  toward  an  eminence  on  the 
banks  of  the  Savannah,  named  Garden  Hill.     But  the  enemy  occupied  it  beloro 
his  arrival :  by  bringing  his  artillery,  however,  to  bear  upon  them,  alter  a  des- 
perate conflict,  he  succeeded  in  dislodging  them  and  in  gaimng  possession  of 
the  hill,  but  with  the  loss  of  his  cannon.     There  Clarke  besieged  him,  till  in- 
formed of  the  near  approach  of  a  British  detachment  from  Nmety-Six,  under 
Colonel  Cruger.     He  then  retreated,  abandoning  the  cannon  which  he  had  ta- 
ken; and,  though  pursued,  efl'ected  his  escape.     Notice  was  instantly  sem  to 
Ferguson  of  Clarke's  retreat,  and  of  his  route  ;  and  high  hopes  of  intercepting 
him  were  entertained      For  that  purpose   Ferguson  remained  longer  in  those 
parts  and  approached  nearer  the  mountains,  than  he  would  otherwise  have  done. 
As  he  had  collected  about  1 ,500  men,  he  had  no  apprehension  of  any  force  as- 
sembling  in  that  quarter  able  to  embarrass  him. 

Meanwhile  the  depredations  committed  by  Ferguson  exasperated  many  ot  the 
inhabitants  of  the  country,  some  of  whom,  fleeing  across  the  Allegany  mountains 
gave  their  western  brethren  an  alarming  account  of  the  evils  with  which  they 
were  threatened.     Those  men,  living  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  that  independence 
"^r  which  the  Atlantic  states  were  struggling,  resolved  to  keep  the  war  at  a  dis- 
tance from  their  settlements.     The  hardy  mountaineers  of  the  western  parts  ot 
Virginia  and  North    Carolina   assembled    under    Colonels   Campbell,  bhelby, 
Cleveland,  and  Sevier.     Other  partios,  under  their  several  leaders,  hastened  to 
loin  them.     They  were  all  mounted,  and  unencumbered  with  baggage,     bach 
man  had  his   blanket,  knapsack,  and  rifle;  and  set  out  in  quest  of  Ferguson, 
equipped  in  the  same  manner  as  when  they  hunted  the  wild  beasts  of  the  loresl. 
At  night  the  earth  afforded  them  a  bed,  and  the  heavens  a  covering  ;  the  flowing 


ence  of  authority 

the  spirits  of  the 

he  did   not  lose 

Darolina  to  excite 

the  British  army 

,  and  toward  the 

;  of  which  place 

er  cavalry  under 

d  themselves  at 

militia  to   cross 

itorious  career  by 

the  •     ll-affectt)d 

lilitia.     For  that 

[1  officer  of  much 

to  train  the  loyal- 

ms  of  that  officer 

collected  a  large 
lends  of  indepen- 
nain  army  in  tri- 
sionally  occur  in 
ions.  A  Colonel 
uction  by  Camp- 
:ted  a  number  of 
),  at  the  head  of 
mden  to  Charlotte 
onel  Brown,  who 
als,  aided  by  some 
I  eminence  on  the 
occupied  it  before 
them,  after  a  des- 
ing  possession  of 
eged  him,  till  in- 
Ninety-Six,  under 
which  he  had  ta- 
instantly  sent  to 
les  of  intercepting 
i  longer  in  those 
lerwiae  have  done, 
n  of  any  force  as- 

srated  many  of  the 
Uegany  mountains 
with  which  they 
that  independence 
p  the  war  at  a  dis- 
e  western  parts  of 
Campbell,  Shelby, 
aders,  haelened  to 
1  baggage.  Each 
^uest  of  Ferguson, 
)ea8ts  of  the  forest, 
ering ;  the  flowing 


3b\ 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


stream  quenched  their  thirst ;  their  giius,  their  knapsucks.  or  a  few  cattlt  driven 
in  their  rear,  su|)j)lie(l  them  with  fooil.  Their  mimbers  made  them  rormidahie, 
and  the  rajiidit}-  of  liieir  movements  rendered  it  difficult  to  escape  them.  They 
amounted  to  nearly  3,000  men. 

On  hearing  of  their  approach,  Ferguson  began  to  retreat  toward  Charlotte, 
and  sent  messengers  to  Cornwallis  to  apprize  him  of  his  danger.  Hut  the  mes- 
sengers were  intercepted  ;  and  the  earl  remained  ignorant  of  the  |)erilous  situ- 
ation of  his  detachment.  In  the  vicinity  of  (Gilbert  town,  the  Americans,  a|)- 
prehensive  of  Ferguson's  escape,  selected  1,000  ol'  ilieir  best  rillemen,  moimted 
them  on  tluiir  fleetest  horses,  and  sent  them  in  pursuit.  Their  rapid  movements 
rendered  his  retreat  impracticable  ;  and  Ferguson,  sensible  that  he  woidd  iniivi- 
tably  be  overtaken,  chose  his  ground  on  I'Cing's  mountain,  on  the  confines  of 
North  and  South  Carolina,  and  waited  tlie  attack. 

On  the  7th  of  October  the  Americans  came  up  with  him.  Campbell  had  tbe 
command ;  but  his  authority  was  merely  nominal,  for  there  was  little  military 
order  or  subordination  in  the  attack.  They  agreed  to  divide  their  forces,  in 
order  to  assail  Ferguson  from  difTenjiit  quarters  ;  and  the  divisions  were  led  on 
by  Colonels  Cleveland,  Shelby,  Sevier,  and  Williams.  Cleveland,  who  conduct- 
ed the  party  which  began  the  attack,  addressed  his  men  as  follows  : — 

"  My  brave  fellows  !  we  have  beaten  the  tories,  and  we  can  beat  them.  When 
engaged,  you  are  not  to  wait  for  the  word  of  command  from  me.  I  will  show 
you  by  my  example  how  to  fight ;  I  can  undertake  no  more.  Every  man  nmst 
consider  himself  an  ofHcer,  and  act  on  his  own  judgment.  Though  repulsed,  do 
not  run  off;  return,  and  renew  the  combat.  If  any  of  you  are  afraid,  you  have 
not  only  leave  to  withdraw,  but  are  requested  to  do  so." 

Cleveland  instantly  began  the  attack  ;  but  was  soon  compelled  to  retire  before 
the  bayonet.  But  Ferguson  had  no  time  to  contiime  the  pursuit :  for  Shelby 
came  forward  from  an  unexpected  quarter,  and  poured  in  a  destructive  fire. 
Ferguson  again  resorted  to  the  bayonet,  and  was  again  successful.  Hut  at  that 
moment,  Campbell's  division  advanced  on  another  side,  and  a  new  battle  began. 
Campl)ell,  like  his  comrades,  was  obliged  to  retreat.  But  Cleveland  had  now 
rallied  his  division,  and  advanced  anew  to  the  combat.  The  royalists  wheeled, 
and  met  this  returning  assailant.  In  this  way  there  was  an  unremitting  succes- 
sion of  attacks  for  about  fifty  minutes.  Ferguson  obstinately  defended  himself, 
and  repulsed  every  assailant ;  but  at  last  he  fell  mortally  wounded ;  and  the 
second  in  command,  seeing  the  contest  hopeless,  surrendered.  Ferguson  and 
150  of  his  men  lay  dead  on  the  field  ;  as  many  were  wounded  ;  nearly  700  laid 
down  their  arms  ;  and  upward  of  400  escaped.  Among  the  prisoners  the  num- 
ber of  regular  British  soldiers  did  not  arwtunt  to  100.  The  Americans  lost 
about  twenty  men,  who  were  killed  on  the  field,  and  they  had  many  wounded, 
rhey  took  1,500  stand  of  arms.  Major  Ferguson's  position  was  good  ;  but  the 
hill  abounded  with  wood,  and  afforded  the  Americans,  who  were  all  riflemen, 
in  opportunity  of  fighting  in  their  own  way,  and  of  firing  from  behind  trees. 

The  Americans  hanged  ten  of  their  prisoners  on  the  spot,  pleading  the  guilt 
or  the  individuals  who  sufl^ired,  and  the  example  of  the  British,  who  had  execu- 
ted a  greater  number  of  Americans.  Those  rude  warriors,  whose  enterprise 
was  the  spontaneous  impulse  of  their  patriotism  or  revenge,  who  acknowledged 
no  superior  authority,  and  who  were  guided  by  no  superior  counsels,  having 
achieved  their  victory  and  attained  their  object,  dispersed  and  returned  home 
.Most  of  the  prisoners  ^trere  soon  after  released. 

The  ruin  of  Ferguson's  detachment,  from  which  so  nmch  KaJ  been  expected, 
was  a  severe  blow  to  Cornwallis :  it  disconcerted  his  plnns,  and  prevented  his 
progress  northward.  On  the  I4lh  of  October,  as  soon  after  obtaining  certairi 
nformat-'on  of  the  fall  of  Major  Ferguson  as  the  army  could  be  put  in  motion.  b« 


HF    THK  AMElilCAN   KEVOLITION 


8A» 


I  lew  ciittk'  driven 
iheiii  ri)rmidable, 

:apt!  ihem.     They 

toward  Charlotte, 
;cr.      lUit  the  rnes- 

ihe  perilDus  siiu- 
le   Amcrieims,  ap- 

ril1eine;i,  moiiiiteil 
r  rapid  niovenieiits 
at  he  would  iiievi- 

II  the   c'oiitiiH's  ul" 

Campbell  had  the 
vas  little  military 
le  their  forces,  in 
isions  were  led  on 
land,  who  conduct- 
dlows  : — 
beat  them.  When 
me.  1  will  show 
Every  man  must 
hoiigli  repulsed,  do 
e  al'raid,  you  have 

lied  to  retire  before 
Lirsuit :  for  Shelby 

a  destructive  fire. 
3S8ful.  Hut  at  that 
L  new  battle  began. 
Cleveland  had  now 

royalists  wheeled, 
Linremilting  succes- 

defended  himself, 
wounded;  and  the 
ed.  Ferguson  and 
id  ;  nearly  700  laid 
prisoners  the  num- 
lie  Americans  lost 
id  many  wounded, 
was  good  ;  but  the 
were  all  riflemen, 
1  behind  trees. 

pleading  the  guilt 
sh,  who  had  execu- 
i,  whose  enterprise 
who  acknowledged 
9r  counsels,  having 
nd  returned  home 

haJ  been  expected, 
,  and  prevented  his 
r  obtaining  cenaiii 
be  put  in  motion.  h« 


Fio.  Mtt. — Death  of  Kcrijiison. 

left  Charlotte,  where  Ferguson  was  to  have  met  him,  and  began  his  retreai 
toward  South  Carolina.  In  that  retrograde  movement  the  aririy  suffered  severely ; 
for  several  days  it  rained  incessantly  ;  the  roads  were  almost  impassable  ;  the 
soldiers  had  no  tents,  and  at  night  encamped  ui  the  woods  in  an  unhealthy 
climate.  The  army  was  ill  supplied  with  provisions  :  sometimes  the  men  had 
beef,  but  no  bread  ;  at  other  times  bread,  but  no  beef.  Once  they  subsisted 
during  five  days  on  Indian  corn  collected  as  it  stwjd  in  the  fields.  Five  ears 
were  the  daily  allowance  of  two  men  ;  and  it  seemed  as  if  the  hand  of  Provi- 
dence was  about  to  requite  them  for  ih»  murderous  barbarities  they  had  in- 
dicted on  inoffensive  women  and  children 

In  these  trying  circumstances,  the  /•  '.c«m<  loyalists  who  had  joined  the 
royal  standard  were  of  great  scvice  ;  bui  their  »«rvices  were  ill  requited,  and 
several  of  them,  disgusted  by  the  abusive  lan^age,  and  even  blows,  which  they 
received  from  some  of  the  officers,  left  the  army  for  ♦jver.  At  lenjfth  the  troops 
passed  the  Catawba,  and  on  the  29th  of  Octobr-  reaehcd  Wynnetfjorough,  an 
intermediate  station  between  Carsden  and  Ninety  Six 

During  those  movements  of  tiia  British  arfny,  the  Atn«ricans  were  not  idle. 
Defeated,  but  not  subdued,  they  were  active  in  preparinjj  to  r«new  the  struggle. 
After  the  defeat  and  dispersion  of  his  army  at  Camden,  Gefi«ral  Gates  fled  to 
'liarlolte,  eighty  m'les  froin  tho  field  of  battle.  There  he  halted,  to  collect  the 
straggling  fugitives,  and  to  endi^yvor,  from  the  »vreck  of  his  discomfited  army,  to 
torin  a  force  with  which  he  mighi  cii'-ck  or  impede  the  advancing  foe.  He  was 
soon  joined  by  Generals  Small  wood  and  Gist,  and  about  150  dispirited  officert> 
and  soldiers.  Most  of  the  militia  who  escaped  returned  home  ;  and  Generw 
Caswell  was  ordered  to  assemble  those  of  the  neighboring  counties.  Maji/i 
Anderson,  of  the  third  Maryland  regiment,  who  had  <  jUected  a  number  of  fugi 
tives  not  far  from  the  field  of  battle,  proceeded  toward  Charlotte  by  easy  marchei» 
in  order  to  give  stragglers  time  to  join  him.     But  as  Charlotte  was  utterly  ind» 


:;i 


d? 


rilK   IMCJTOllIAL  HIST  »IY 


feiisil)l(',  biiil  as  no  harrier  lay  bctwi  cu  it  and  the  enemy,  General  Ga.es  retreatt ., 
to  Salishurv,  and  sent  Colonel  Williuins,  accompanied  by  another  officer,  on  tln' 
road  leading  to  Camden,  to  gain  information  of  the  movements  of  Cornwallis, 
and  to  direct,  such  stragglers  as  he  met  to  hasten  to  Salisbury.  From  Salis- 
bury General  Gales  proceeded  to  Hillsborough,  where  he  intended  to  assembit; 
an  army  with  which  he  might  contend  for  the  southern  provinces. 

.•\t  Hillsborough  every  exertion  was  made  to  collect  and  organize  a  militarv 
force  ;  and  ere  1  jug  General  Gates  was  again  at  the  head  of  1,400  men.  Evtii 
hefoie  the  royal  army  entered  North  Carolina,  that  state  had  called  out  the  sec- 
ond division  of  its  militia,  under  Generals  Davidson  and  Sumner  ;  and  hev 
were  joined  by  the  volunteer  cavalry  under  Colonel  Davie. 

When  Cornwallis  entered  Charlotte,  General  Gates  ordered  General  Small- 
wood  to  take  post  at  the  fords  of  the  Yadkin,  in  order  to  dispute  the  passaiii; 
of  the  river ;  and  Morgan,  who  had  often  distinguished  himself  by  his  courage 
and  activity,  and  who  had  joined  the  southern  army  with  the  rank  of  brigadier- 
general,  was  employed  with  a  light  corps  to  harass  the  enemy. 

When  Cornwallis  retreated.  General  Gates  advanced  to  Charlotte  ;  he  sta 
tioned  General  Smallwood  farther  down  the  Catawba  on  the  road  to  Camden, 
and  ordered  General  Morgan  to  some  distance  in  his  front.  Such  was  the  po- 
sition  of  the  troops  when  General  Gates  was  superseded  in  the  command  of  the 
southern  army. 

On  the  5th  of  October,  congress  passed  a  resolution,  requiring  the  cominaiiJ- 
er-in-chief  to  order  a  court  of  inquiry  into  the  conduct  of  Major-General  Gates, 
as  commander  of  the  southern  army  ;  and  to  appoint  another  officer  to  that  com- 
mand till  such  inquiry  should  be  made.  The  order  of  congress  to  inquire  into 
the  conduct  of  General  Gates  was  dissatisfactory  to  the  best  American  officers  • 
it  was  afterward  dispensed  with,  and  Gates  restored  to  a  command  in  the  army. 

Meanwhile,  General  Washington  recommended  Major-General  Greene  to 
congress,  as  a  person  qualified  to  command  the  southern  army.  Nathaniel 
Greene,  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  was  brought  up  among  the  quakers,  but  was 
cast  out  of  their  society  when  he  joined  the  army.  He  was  in  camp  when 
General  Washington  took  the  command  before  Boston  ;  and,  by  his  activity,  in- 
trepidity, anl  good  conduct,  gained  the  confidence  of  the  commander-in-chief  in 
a  high  degrte,  who  recommended  him  as  an  officer  in  whose  ability,  fortitude, 
and  integrity,  he  could  trust.  Writing  on  the  subject  to  Mr.  Matthews,  a  dele- 
gate of  South  Carolina,  he  said :  "  I  think  I  am  giving  you  a  general ;  but 
what  can  a  general  do  without  men,  without  arms,  without  clothes,  without 
stores,  without  provisions  ?"  Greene  did  not  discredit  the  recommendation  ol 
Ills  superior,  nor  disappoi  t  the  hopes  of  his  country.  In  his  progrsss  south- 
ward, he  visited  the  gove.'..ors  and  legislatures  of  the  states  through  which  he 
passed  ;  but  in  some  parts  of  the  country  found  the  people  so  hostile,  that  ne 
was  not  without  apprehensions  of  personal  danger. 

On  the  2d  of  December.  General  Greene  arrived  at  Charlotte,  and  informed 
General  Gates  of  his  commission.  That  was  the  first  official  notice  which 
General  Gates  received  of  his  removal  from  the  command  of  the  southern  army. 
Nf  xt  day  Gates  resigned  the  command  of  the  army  with  becoming  dignity  and 
p&triotism,  and  Greene  behaved  toward  him  witn  the  most  polite  attention. 

Iff  «  few  hours  after  <'»eneral  Greene  enierod  on  his  command,  he  received 
tbs  (t:pfni  of  one  of  Morgan's  forajiina  parties,  not  far  from  Camden.  The  party 
Rdv&iUM\  to  the  vicinity  of  toe  Britisn  posts  at  Clermont,  which  was  viewed  by 
Coioofl  Washington,  who  sjvv  that  it  was  too  strong  to  be  taken  by  small  amis 
rtnd  cavalry,  the  ordy  weapcr.<  aiul  force  present;  he  therefore  had  recourse  to 
»fratagem.  Having  made  an  nnposing  show  of  part  of  his  men,  artd  haviiia 
placed  the  trunk  of  a  pihe-tree  in  such  a  situation  as,  at  a  distance,  to  i»»ve  the 


eiierai  Ga.es  retreat*  ■ 
iiioiher  officer,  on  tin* 
^inents  of  Cornwalli>s, 
isbury.  From  Sails- 
intended  to  asstunlilt' 
»vinces. 

id  organize  a  military 
of  1,400  men.  Evtii 
ad  called  out  the  sec- 
d  Sumner  ;   and  hev 

lered  General  Small- 
)  dispute  the  passajjo 
imself  by  his  courage 
the  rank  of  brigadier- 
emy. 

to  Charlotte  ;  he  sta 
the  road  to  Camden. 
It.  Such  was  the  po- 
ll the  command  of  the 

quiring  the  command- 
Major-General  Gates, 
ler  officer  to  that  coni- 
>ngress  to  inquire  into 
3st  American  officers  • 
command  in  the  army. 
r-General  Greene  to 
;rn  army.  Nathaniel 
the  quakers,  but  was 
le  was  in  camp  when 
nd,  by  his  activity,  in- 
;ommanJer-in-chief  in 
hose  ability,  fortitude, 
Mr.  Matthews,  a  dele- 
g  you  a  general ;  liut 
thout  clothes,  without 
e  recommendation  of 
n  his  progr3ss  souih- 
ites  through  which  he 
lie  so  hostile,  that  ne 

harlotte,  and  informed 
official  notice  which 
of  the  southern  army, 
becoming  dignity  and 
polite  attention, 
lomuiand,  he  received 
I  Camden.  The  party 
which  was  viewed  by 
3  taken  by  small  arnis 
refore  had  recourse  to 
his  men,  ai»d  haviiia 
1  distance,  to  bave  the 


oy  THE  .\MKKFC.\N   Kh  SOLUTION. 


357 


appearance  of  a  cannon,  he  summoned  the  post  lo  surrender,  and  ii  yielded 
without  firing  a  shot.  The  militia-Colonel  Rugely  and  112  men  whom  he  had 
ooUected  in  the  place  were  made  prisoners.  This  event  elated  General  Greene's 
army,  and  was  considered  by  them  as  a  good  omen  of  success  under  their 
new  leader. 

General  Greene's  situation  was  embarrassing  :  his  army  was  feeble,  consist- 
ing, on  the  8ih  of  December,  of  2,029  infantry,  of  whom  1,482  were  in  camp 
and  547  in  detachmpnts  ;  821  were  continent;' !s,  and  1,208  were  militia.  Be- 
sides these  there  were  90  cavalry,  60  art;'ilerymen,  and  128  continentals  on 
extra  .service,  constituting  in  <J1  a  force  of  2,307  men. 

In  Xortli  Carolina  there  were  many  loyalists,  and  hostilities  were  carried  on 
hetwct  fi  them  and  their  republican  neighbors  with  the  most  ranconjus  animosity. 
They  pursued,  plmidered,  and  massacrea  each  other  with  the  ruthless  fury  o" 
beasts  of  prey  ;  and,  even  without  the  presence  of  contending  armies,  threatened, 
bv  their  mutual  violence,  to  render  the  province  a  scene  of  carnage  and  devasta- 
tion. Tiie  country  was  thinlj'  inhabited,  and  abounded  in  woods  and  swamps. 
The  cultivated  parts  were  laid  waste  by  hostile  factions,  and  no  magazines  for 
the  army  were  provided.  The  troops  were  almost  naked,  and  General  Greene 
was  obliged  to  procure  subsistence  for  them  day  by  day :  yet,  in  these  circum- 
stances, he  was  expected  instantly  to  drive  the  British  from  the  southern  prov- 
inces, lie  was  sensible  that  everything  depended  on  public  opinion,  and  felt 
the  difficulty  of  at  once  preserving  the  good  will  and  promoting  the  interests  of 
the  people.  He  was  well  aware  that  by  rushing  into  precipitate  measures  he 
might  gain  their  momentary  approbation,  but  would  ruin  their  cause.  After  ma- 
turely considering  all  circumstances,  he  resolved  to  divide  his  forces  and  carrj- 
on  a  desultory  warfare. 

In  order  to  repress  some  irregularities  which  had  been  practised  in  the  army, 
he  was  obliged  to  hav^  recourse  to  severity,  and  succeeded  in  establishing  more 
exact  discipline  than  had  been  formerly  enforced.  At  a  very  early  period  of 
his  command  he  received  a  letter  from  Cornwallis,  complaining  of  the  treats 
ment  of  the  prisoners  taken  at  King's  mountain,  and  stating  that  he  had  found 
himself  obliged  to  make  ?5ome  retaliation.  General  Greene  replied  that  he  was 
too  much  a  stranger  to  the  transaction  at  King's  mountain  to  reply  fully  on  that 
point  ;  but  alleged  that  the  excesses  at  that  place  must  have  been  committed  by 
volunteers  independent  of  the  army,  and  that  what  had  been  done  there  was 
only  in  imitation  of  the  example  set  by  Cornv7alli8  himself.  He  also  com- 
plained of  the  transportation  of  the  inhabitants  of  Charleston  to  St.  Augustine, 
as  a  violation  of  the  articles  of  capitulation. 

This  epistolary  correspondence  was  soon  succeeded  by  more  active  opera- 
tions. General  Greene  found  that  he  could  not  long  remain  at  Charlotte,  for  the 
country  between  that  place  and  Camt'en,  having  been  traversed  by  the  contend- 
ing armies,  was  quite  exhausted.  In  order,  therefore,  to  procure  subsistence  for 
his  troops,  as  well  as  to  distract  ana  harass  the  enemy,  the  American  general 
though  full  aware  of  the  danger  of  sich  a  measure,  felt  himself  constrained  to 
divide  his  little  army. 

CJeneral  Morgan  had  been  invested  with  the  command  of  the  light  troops  by 
General  Gates  ;  and  General  Greene  placed  him  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  di- 
visions of  his  army,  consisting  r^f  nearly  400  infantry  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Howard,  170  Virginia  riflemen  under  Major  Triplett,  and  80  light  dragoons  un- 
ler  Lieutena-it- Colonel  Washington.  With  this  small  force  Morgan  was  sent 
10  the  south  of  the  Catawba  to  observe  the  British  at  Wynncsborough  and  Cam- 
den, and  to  shift  for  himself,  but  was  directed  'o  risk  as  little  as  possible.  On 
(he  25th  of  December  he  took  a  position  toward  th-'j  western  frontier  of  South 
Carolina,  not  far  from  the  confluence  of  the  Picolet  and  Broad  rivers,  and  about 


J 


J5« 


THE   nCTUKIAI,  HISI'OUY 


fifty  rniles  northwest  from  WyiiiiL'shoroiiirli.  Witli  the  other  division  of  his  army 
Gener;il  Greene  left  Cliariolle  on  the  20tli  of  the  same  month  ;  ami,  on  the  Sillli, 
arrived  at  Hick's  corn'jr,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Pedee,  opposite  tlie  Cheraw 
hills,  about  seventy  miles  northeast  from  Wynnesborough,  where  he  remained 
some  time.  He  marched  to  that  place  in  the  hope  of  finding  more  plentiful 
subsistence  for  his  troops  ;  but  his  difficulties  in  that  respect  were  not  much  di- 
minished, for  the  country  was  almost  laid  waste  by  the  cruel  feuds  of  the  hos- 
tile factions. 

General  Morgan  did  not  hmg  remain  inactive.  On  the  27th  of  December  he 
iletached  Colonel  Washington  with  his  dragoons  o-'d  200  militia,  who  ne.xt  day 
marched  forty  miles,  surprised  a  body  of  loyalisis  at  Ninety-Six,  killed  or 
wounded  150  of  them,  and  took  forty  prisoners,  without  sustaining  any  loss.  At 
that  time  Morgan  was  joined  by  Major  M'Dowal  with  200  North  Carolina,  and 
by  Colonel  Pickens  with  70  South  Carolina  militia. 

The  British  were  assailed  not  only  with  the  force  under  Greene  and  Morgan, 
but  were  also  obliged  to  watch  other  adversaries  not  less  active  and  enterpri- 
sing. Sumpter  had  been  defeated  by  Tarleton  on  the  18th  of  August,  and  his 
followers  dispersed  :  but  that  darinr;  and  indefatigable  partisan  did  not  long 
remain  quiet.  He  was  soon  agaiti  if  the  head  of  a  considerable  band,  and  ha(l 
frequent  skirmishes  with  his  adversaries.  Always  changing  his  position  about 
Enoree,  Broad,  and  Tiger  rivers,  he  infested  the  British  posts  in  that  quarter. 
On  the  12th  of  Novembei  he  was  attacked  at  Broad  river  by  Major  VVemyss  ; 
but  repulsed  the  parly,  and  made  the  major  prisoner.  On  the  20th  of  the  same 
month  he  was  attacked  by  Colonel  Tarleton  at  Black  Stocks  near  Tiger  river ; 
the  encounter  was  sharp  and  obstinate  ;  Tarleton  was  repulsed  with  loss  ;  but 
Sumpter  was  wounded  in  the  battle,  and,  being  unfitted  for  active  service,  his 
followers  dispersed,  Sumpter  showed  much  humanity  to  his  prisoners.  Al- 
though Major  Wemyss  had  deliberately  hanged  Mr.  Cusack  in  Cheraw  district, 
and  although  he  had  in  his  pocket  a  list  of  several  houses  burnt  by  his  orders, 
yet  he  met  with  every  indulgence.  At  Black  Stocks  the  wounded  were  kindly 
treated  by  the  Americans,  who,  although  irritated  by  the  sanguinary  excesses 
committed  on  non-combatants  by  their  cruel  opponents,  were  yet  too  noble  and 
magnanimous  to  retaliate. 

Other  partisan  chiefs  arose,  and  among  them  General  Mnrion  held  a  distin- 
guished place.  That  gentleman  had  •'ommanded  a  regiment  in  C!  rleston  at 
the  time  of  the  siege  ;  but  having  rece  ed  a  wound  which  fractured  his  leg,  and 
being  incapable  of  discharging  the  ac.i/e  duties  of  his  office,  he  withdrew  from 
the  town.  He  was  created  a  brigadier-general  by  Governor  Rulledge.  On  the 
advance  of  General  Gates,  having  procured  a  band  of  followers,  he  penetrated 
to  the  Santee,  harassed  the  British  detachments,  and  discouraged  the  loyalists. 
After  the  defeat  of  the  Americans  at  Camden,  he  rescued  a  party  of  continental 
prisoners  who  were  under  a  British  guard.  So  ill  was  he  provided  with  arms, 
that  he  was  obliged  to  forge  the  saws  of  the  sawmills  into  rude  swords  for  his 
horsemen  ;  and  so  scanty  was  his  ammunition,  that  at  times  he  engaged  when 
h  -  had  not  three  cartridges  to  eaih  of  his  party.  He  secured  himself  from  pur- 
suit in  the  recesses  of  the  forest,  and  in  deep  swamps. 

In  order  to  discourr y",  his  followers,  Major  Wemys«  burned  many  houses  en 
»he  Pedee,  Lynch's  creek,  and  Black  river,  on  pretence  that  their  propriet  >rs 
were  followers  of  Marion  :  but  that  severe  policy  only  strengthened  the  hands 
of  the  daring  leader ;  for  despair  and  revenge  made  these  ruined  citizens  cleave 
to  his  standard.  He  became  so  troublesome  that  Tarleton  was  sent  against 
him,  but  wiis  unable  to  bring  him  to  action. 

Comwallis  impatiently  waited  the  arrival  of  reinforcements,  .\fter  the  vie- 
lory  at  Camden,  when  he  was  flushed  with  the  sanguine  hope,  not  only  of  over 


ivisiriii  of  his  iinny 
;  and,  1)11  tlit^  ^Olli, 
)osite  the  Cheraw 
licre  he  remaimd 
iig  more  plentiful 
kvero  not  much  di- 
feuds  of  the  hos- 

h  of  December  ho 
itia,  who  next  day 
lety-Six,  killed  or 
ining  any  loss.  At 
forth  Carolina,  and 

reene  and  Morgan, 
ctive  and  enterpri- 
of  August,  and  his 
■tisan  did  not  long 
able  band,  and  ha(l 

his  position  about 
sts  in  that  quarter, 
ly  Major  VVemyss  ; 
e  20th  of  the  same 
i  near  Tiger  river  : 
Ised  with  loss  ;  but 

active  service,  his 
his  prisoners.     Al- 

in  Cheraw  district, 
jurnt  by  his  orders, 
Dunded  were  kindly 
anguinary  excesses 
re  yet  too  noble  and 

larion  held  a  distin- 
eiit  in  C!  rleston  at 
ractured  his  leg,  and 
i,  he  withdrew  from 
■  Rutledge.  On  the 
iwers,  he  penetrated 
iraged  the  loyalists. 

party  of  continental 
provided  with  arms, 

rude  swords  for  his 
s  he  engaged  when 
ed  himself  from  pur- 
eed many  houses  on 
fiat  their  propriet  irs 
cnglhened  the  hands 
liined  citizens  cleave 
ton  was  sent  against 

nts.  After  the  vie- 
ipe,  act  only  of  over 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOf.lTriON. 


359 


riiuninft  North  Carolin:i,  but  of  invading  Virginia,  Gi'neral  Ia'sUo  was  detached 
,7(1111  Ni'W  York  to  the  southward  witii  a  considerable  liiuiy  of  troops,  and,  ac- 
I'uriiiiii;  to  orders,  landed  in  Virginia,  ex|)ectiiig  to  meet'  the  Koiiiiiern  army 
111  tlial  state.  Oii  finding  himself  unable  to  accompii.sli  iiis  lofiy  sciiemes, 
ami  oi)liged  to  fall  back  into  South  Carolina,  Cornvvallis  oniereil  (leiieral 
Leslie  to  reimlark  and  sail  for  Charleston.  He  arrived  there  on  the  )  ;fih  of 
December,  and  on  the  19lh  began  his  march  with  1,500  men  to  join  Corn- 
walHs.  who  resolved  to  begin  oHensive  operations  inmiediately  on  the  arrival  of 
his  reiiilbrcements  ;  but,  in  the  meantime,  alarmed  by  the  movements  of  Mor- 
gan far  the  safety  of  the  Hritish  post  at  \inety-8ix,'  he  detached  Lieuieiiant- 
Color.el  TarletO!!  with  the  light  and  legion  infantry,  the  fusileers  or  7th  regi- 
iiuut,  the  first  battalion  of  tlie  Tlst  regiment,  350  cavalry,  two  field-pieces,  and 
;iii  adeijuate  number  of  the  royal  artillery,  in  all  about  1,100  men,  with  orders  to 
strike  a  blow  at  Morgan,  and  drive  him  out  of  the  province.  As  Tarielon's 
I'l.rce  was  known  to  be  superior  to  that  under  Morgan,  no  doubt  whatever  was 
entertained  of  the  precipitate  (light  or  total  discomfiture  of  the  Americans. 

Meanwhile  Cornwalli-s  left  Wynnesborough,  and  proceeded  toward  the  north- 
west, between  the  Broad  and  Catawba  rivers.  General  Leslie,  who  had  halted 
ai  Camden,  in  order  to  conceal  from  the  Americans  as  long  as  possible  the  road 
which  the  British  army  was  !o  take,  was  now  ordered  to  advance  up  the  Ca- 
tawba and  join  the  main  body  on  its  march.  By  this  route  Curnwallis  hoped  to 
intercept  Morgan  if  he  should  escape  Tarleton,  ur  jierhaps  to  get  between  (ien- 
cral  Greene  and  Virginia,  and  compel  him  to  tight  before  the  arrival  of  his  ex- 
pected reinforcemeni3.  The  British  generals,  encumbered  with  baggage  and 
mibiary  stores,  marching  through  bad  roads,  and  a  country  intersected  by  rivu- 
let- which  were  often  swollen  by  the  rains,  advanced  but  slowI\-.  Colonel  Tarle- 
•on,  lioweTei,  svrth  his  light  troops,  proceeded  with  great  celeri'y,  and  overtook 
Morgan,  probably  sooner  than  was  expected. 

On  the  14th  of  January.  1781,  General  Morgan  was  informed  of  the  move- 
inriits  of  the  British  army,  and  got  notice  of  the  march  of  Tarleton  and  of  the 
torce  under  his  command.  Sensible  of  his  danger,  he  began  to  retreat,  and 
crossed  the  Pacolet,  the  passage  of  which  he  was  inclined  to  dispute  ;  but,  on 
being  told  that  Tarleton  had  forded  the  river  six  miles  above  him,  he  made  a  pre- 
cipitate retreat  ;  and  at  ten  at  night,  on  the  16th  of  .limuary,  the  British  took 
possession  of  the  ground  v  Inch  the  Americans  had  left  a  few  hours  before. 

Although  his  troops  were  much  fatigued  by  several  days'  hard  marching 
ihrcmgh  a  difficult  country,  yet,  determined  that  the  enemy  should  not  escape, 
Tarleton  resumed  •  p^,.^  (it  at  three  next  morning,  leaving  his  baggage  behind 
under  a  guard,  with  orders  n».t  to  move  till  break  Oi'  day.  Morgan^  though  re- 
ireaiiiig,  was  not  inclined  to  flee.  By  great  exertions  he  miglit  have  crossed 
Hruad  river,  or  reached  a  hilly  tract  of  country  before  he  could  have  been  over- 
taken. He  was  inferior  to  Tarleton  in  tlw^  number  of  his  troops,  but  more  so  in 
their  (juality ;  as  a  considerable  part  of  his  force  consisted  of  militia,  and  the 
iiritish  cavairy  were  three  times  more  numerous  than  the  American.  But  .Mor- 
gan, who  had  great  confidence  both  in  himself  and  in  his  men,  was  apprehensive 
ol  being  overtaken  before  he  could  pas.?  Broad  river,  and  he  chose  rather  to  rtghi 
voluntarily  than  to  be  forced  to  a  battle.  Therefore,  having  been  joined  by  soino 
militia  under  Colonel  Pickens,  he  halted  at  a  place  called  the  Cow-Fen-.  «boni 
three  miles  from  the  line  of  separation  between  North  and  South  Carolina.  Be- 
lore  daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  of  January,  he  was  inform»-d  of  the 
near  approach  of  Colonel  Tarleton,  and  instantly  prepared  to  receive  him. 

'  lie  ground  on  which  General  Morgan  halted  had  no  great  advantages  ;  but 
us  .lispositions  were  judicious.  On  rising  ground,  in  an  open  wood,  he  drew 
ap  hit,  continental  troops  and  Triplett's  corps,  amounting  together  to  nearly  500 


mi- 


3fiC 


TIIK  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


mt-n,  uncUr  Lieuteiiam-Culoiu)!  Howard.  Colonel  Washington,  with  his  cavain.- 
wan  ])<!'  if'd  in  tlicir  rear,  hdiinJ  the  oiniiitMift',  rt'inly  to  act  as  occasion  inifiin 
rei|uiri'.  At  a  sniall  distanit',  in  front  of  ids  continentals,  was  a  lincj  ol  iniliii.i 
under  Co.  )nel  Piciiens  and  Major  M'lJowell  :  and  150  yards  in  front  of  Pickens 
was  stationed  a  battalion  of  North  ('ari>lina  and  (Jeorgia  volunteers  under  Majiir 
Cunningham,  with  orders  to  nivv  one  discharge  on  the  iipproaching  enemy,  and 
then  to  retreat  and  join  the  iMiliiia.  Pickens  was  directed,  whi'U  lie  could  iiii 
longer  ktM'p  his  groinid.  Id  fall  hack,  with  a  retreating  lire,  ai\d  form  on  the  riglii 
of  the  conlin(Mii;ils 

Scarcely  wen-  those  dispositions  made  when  the  British  van  appeared.  Col- 
onel Tarleton,  who  had  heeii  informed  by  two  prisoners  of  Morgan's  positior. 
and  strength,  instantly  formed  his  troo|)s.  The  liglil  and  legion  infantry,  and 
(he  7th  reginicnl,  and  a  ca|)tain  with  hfty  dragoons  on  each  tlank,  constitiilei! 
fiis  lirsl  line  :  the  first  Itattalion  ot  the  71st  regiment  and  the  rest  of  the  cavalrv 
com|)osed  the  reserve.  Formerly  Tarleton  had  succeeded  hy  sudden  and  im- 
petuous assaults  ;  and,  entertaining  no  doubt  of  speedy  and  complete  victory  oti 
the  present  occasion,  he  led  on  his  luen  to  the  attack  with  characteristic  ardor, 
even  before  his  troops  were  well  formed.  The  British  rushed  forward  impetu- 
ously, shouting  and  tinng  as  they  advanced.  The  American  volunteers,  after  a 
single  discharge,  retreated  to  the  militia  under  Pickens,  'i'he  British  advanced 
rapidly,  and  furiously  attacked  the  militia,  wlio  soon  gave  way,  and  sought  shel- 
ter in  the  rear  of  the  continentahi.  Tarleton  eas>erly  pressed  on:  but  the  con- 
tinentals, undismayed  by  the  retreat  of  the  militi;i,  received  him  firmly,  and  an 
obstinate  conllict  ensued.  Tarleton  ordered  uj)  his  reserve  ;  and  the  continental 
line  was  shaken  by  the  '  iolence  of  the  onset.  Morgan  ordered  his  men  to  re- 
treat to  the  summit  of  the  eminence,  and  was  instantly  obeyed.  The  British, 
whose  ranks  were  soiiiewhat  thinned,  exhausted  by  the  previous  march  and  by 
the  struggle  in  which  they  had  been  engaged,  and  believing  the  victory  won, 
pursued  in  some  disorder ;  but,  on  reaching  the  top  of  the  hill,  Howard  ordered 
his  men  to  wheel  and  face  the  enemy :  they  instantly  obeyed,  and  met  the  pur- 
suing foe  with  a  well-directed  and  deadly  tire.  This  unexpected  and  destruc- 
tive volley  threw  the  British  into  some  confusion,  which  Howard  observing, 
ordered  his  men  to  charge  them  with  the  bayonet.  Their  obedience  was  as 
prompt  as  before  ;  and  the  British  line  was  soon  broken.  About  the  same  mo- 
ment, Washington  routed  the  cavalry  on  the  British  right,  who  had  pursued  the 
fleeing  militia,  and  were  cutting  them  down  on  the  left  and  even  in  the  rear  of 
the  continentals.  Ordering  his  men  not  to  tire  a  pistol,  Washington  charged  tlie 
British  cavalry  sword  in  hand.  The  conflict  v.as  sharp,  but  not  of  long  duration. 
The  British  were  driven  from  the  ground  with  considerable  loss,  and  closely 
pursued.  Howard  and  Washington  pressed  the  advantage  which  they  had 
gained  :  many  of  the  militia  rallied,  and  joined  in  the  battle.  In  a  few  minutes 
after  the  Britisli  had  been  pursuing  the  enemy,  without  a  doubt  of  victory,  the 
fortune  of  the  day  entirely  changed :  their  arlillery-inen  were  killed,  their  can- 
non taken,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  infantry  compelled  to  lay  down  tl;eir  arms. 
Tarleton  with  about  forty  horse,  made  a  l"urious  charge  op  Washington's  cavalry  , 
but  the  battle  was  irrecoverably  lost,  and  he  was  relucta'itiy  obliged  to  retreat. 
Upward  of  '-200  of  his  cavalry,  who  had  not  been  engaged,  fled  through  the 
woods  with  the  utmost  precipitation,  bearing  away  with  them  such  of  the  officers 
as  endeavored  to  oppose  their  flight.  The  only  part  of  the  infantry  which  es- 
caped, was  the  detachment  left  to  guard  the  baggage,  which  they  destroyed 
when  informed  of  the  defeat,  and,  mounting  the  wagon  and  iipare  horses,  haslilv 
retreated  to  the  army.  The  cavalry  arrived  in  camp  in  two  divisions  :  one  ir 
the  ovcning,  with  the  tidings  of  their  disastrous  discomfiture,  and  the  other,  uu 
der  Tarleton  himself,  appeared  next  morning. 


n,  Willi  his  ciivft5f'.' 
lis  occasion  inijrlii 
s  a  lino  ol  inili'.ii 
in  front  of  Fii^ki'iis 
iiteers  undor  M;ijtit 
uhinjj  enemy,  ami 
vlu'H   he   coulil   Ml 

I  Ibrin  on  the  right 

m  appeared.     Cnl- 

Morgan's  po.sitim. 

>gion   iiil'antry,  uiici 

II  tlank,  cohstilui.M! 
1  rest  of  the  cavalry 
>y  sudden  and  ini- 
loinplete  victory  oi 
haracteristie  ardor, 
ed  forward  inipeiu- 

volunteers,  alter  a 
\e  British  advanced 
,y,  and  sought  shel- 
i  on :  but  the  con- 
hinj  firmly,  and  an 

and  the  continental 
red  his  men  to  re- 
yed.  The  British, 
nous  march  and  by 
g  the  victory  won 
ill,  Howard  ordered 
3d,  and  met  the  pur- 
>ected  and  destruc- 
Howard  observing, 

obedience  was  as 
About  the  same  mo- 
irho  had  pursued  the 
even  in  the  rear  ol 
shingion  charged  the 
not  of  long  duration, 
lie  loss,  and  closely 
ge  which  they  had 
In  a  few  minutes 
iloubt  of  victory,  the 
sre  killed,  their  can- 
lay  down  their  arms. 
/■ashinglon's  cavalry, 
V  obliged  to  retreat, 
ed.  fled  through  the 
m  such  of  the  olKcers 
i  infantry  which  es> 
hich  they  destroyeil 
upare  horses,  hasiilv 
fo  divisions  :  one  in 
e,  and  the  other,  uu 


OF  THE   .\Mfc:ilIC\.\   IIEVOI.IITION. 


:i(i 


In  this  battle  the  British  had  leu  conimissioiu'd  ollicers  and  upward  of  100 
privates  killed.  .More  than  500  were  made  prisoners,  neatly  200  of  wlioiii,  iti- 
liidnig  29  connnissioned  ofTkers,  were  wininded.  'i"wo  pieces  of  artillery,  two 
standards,  800  muskets,  35  baggaj^e-wagons,  and  about  100  li'.irs(^s,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Americans,  whose  loss  amounted  only  to  twelve  men  killed,  and 
sixty  wounded,  The  British  force  under  Tarleton  has  been  commonly  estimated 
It  l.iOO  men,  and  the  .\merican  artny,  as  stated  by  Cieneral  .Morgan,  in  liis  tif- 
liiial  report  to  (General  Greene,  written  two  days  after  the  l)altle,  at  (»nly  800. 

Formerly  Tarleton  had  been  successtul  by  the  celerity  of  his  movements,  and 
by  the  impetuositv  of  his  sudden  and  unexpected  attacks,  chiefly  on  raw  troops. 
Uut  at  the  Cow-  Pens  he  was  opposed  to  an  olficer  as  daring  as  himself,  and 
who  was  prepared  to  receive  him  at  the  head  of  a  band  of  vetertms.  iSeldoin 
has  a  battle  in  which  the  number  of  combatants  was  so  small  produced  such  im- 
iuiriant  consequences  ;  for  the  loss  of  the  light  infantry  not  oidy  considerably 
diminished  the  force,  but  also  crippled  the  inoveinents  of  Cornwallis  during  the 
tainpiiign. 

("oriiwallis  was  at  Turkey  creek,  twenty-five  'iiiles  from  the  Cow-Pens,  con- 
fident of  the  success  of  his  detachment,  or  at  least  without  the  slightest  appre- 
hcdsion  of  its  defeat.  He  was  between  Green  and  Morgan  ;  and  it  was  a  mat- 
ter of  much  importance  to  prevent  their  junction,  and  to  overthrow  the  one  of 
them  while  he  could  receive  no  support  from  the  other.  For  that  purpose  he 
hail  marched  up  Broad  river,  and  instructed  General  Leslie  to  proceed  on  the 
banka  of  the  Catawba,  in  order  to  keep  the  Americans  in  a  state  of  uncertainty 
concerning  the  route  which  he  intended  to  pursue ;  but  the  unex;,tcted  defeat 
of  his  detachment  was  an  occurrence  equally  mortifying  and  perplexing,  and 
nothing  remained  but  to  endeavor  to  compensate  the  disaster  by  the  rapidity  of 
his  movements  and  the  decision  of  his  conduct. 

He  was  as  near  the  fords  of  the  Catawba  as  Morgan  ;  and  flattered  himself 
•hat,  elated  with  victory  and  encumbered  with  prisoners  and  baggage,  that  ofliicei 
might  yet  be  overtaken  before  ho  could  pass  those  fords.  Accordingly,  on  the 
18th  of  January  he  formed  a  junction  with  General  Leslie,  and  on  the  19th  be- 
gan his  reiriarkable  pursuit  of  Morgan.  In  order  the  more  certainly  to  accom- 
plish his  end,  at  Ramsour's  Mills  he  destroyed  the  whole  of  his  superfluous 
baggage.  He  set  the  example  by  considerably  diminishing  the  quantity  of  his 
own,  and  was  readily  imitated  by  his  officers,  although  some  of  them  suffered 
much  less  by  the  measure.  He  retained  no  wagons,  except  those  loaded  with 
hospital  stores  and  ammunition,  and  four  empty  ones  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  sick  a;  '  ^^mnded.  But  notwithstanding  all  hi.s  privations  and  exertions,  he 
uhimately  missed  his  aim ;  for  General  Morgan  displayed  as  much  prudence 
and  activity  after  his  victory  as  bravery  in  gaining  it.  Fully  aware  of  hia  dan- 
ger, he  left  behind  him,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  such  of  the  wounded  as  could  not 
be  moved,  with  surgeons  to  attend  them  ;  and,  scarcely  giving  his  men  time  to 
breathe,  he  sent  oflT  his  prisoners,  under  an  escort  of  militia,  and  followed  with 
his  regular  troops  and  cavalry,  bringing  up  the  rear  in  person.  He  crossed 
Broad  river  at  the  upper  fords,  hastened  to  the  Catawba,  which  he  reached  on 
•he  evening  of  the  28th,  and  safely  passed  it  with  his  prisoners  and  troops  next 
day  ;  his  rear  having  gained  the  northern  bank  only  about  two  hours  before  the 
van  of  the  British  army  appeared  on  the  opposite  side. 

Much  rain  had  fallen  on  the  mountains  a  short  time  before,  and  it  rained  in- 
cessantly during  the  night.  The  river  rose,  and  in  the  morning  was  impassable. 
It  was  two  days  before  the  inundation  subsided  ;  and,  in  tliat  interval,  .Morgan 
sciit  oflThis  prisoners  toward  Charlotteville  in  Virginia,  under  an  escort  of  mili- 
tia, and  they  were  soon  beyond  the  reach  of  pursuit.  The  .Americans  regarded 
■  le  swelling  of  the  river  with  pious  gratitude,  as  an  internosiiidn  of  lleavcH  in 


Hf.i 


TMK  PK^rouiAF-  HISTORY 


llifir  lichiiir.  mill  looki'il  forw;inl  with  iiicriMsrd  ('(Uiliilence  lo  ilit>   l.i)  o\  iillliiiaic 

8111  ri'S8, 

flriu^rnl  Mori^Hii  callcil  fi»r  the  ;i<<Hi.stiiiii  c  of  ilie  (ii'i:.flil)(irlns;  ii'-fiia,  ami  |>ro- 

Itiired  l<»  ilispiiic  tlif  (>;i.sMii;i>  of  (lie  river,  hut,  on  ilic  Dlsl  <il  l:muary,  wliili-  ii»' 
a\  III  .SlifTwood's  lionl,  (■■(■nerul  drt-i'iie  iinc.\|H'fttMl!y  appe.ireil  in  ciimp,  aixt 
ttM)k  on  liiniHidf  the  cnniniand.  Toward  tin*  -ltd  ol'  Deci'inber.  General  (ireene, 
a>«  alrt'M  ly  incniioiuil,  took  a  position  at  lli..k'>  creek,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
i'odee  ;  .mil  li.id  in  i-.iinp  1,100  roiiiiiietil;i;  ,i!i<l  state  troops  lit  lor  service.  <  >i 
ih':  IJtli  ol'.laniiary  he  wis  joiiu'ii  liy  Colotnd  Lee's  partisan  legion,  \vhich  ar 
rived  t'rotn  the  iiorti),  and  eonsisted  ol'  1  UO  vvell-nniinited  horsemen,  and  I'^'U  in- 
fuutry.  This  reinforeeiinnt  wa.s  next  day  de.i|)aliiieii  on  a  secret  expedition  ; 
and,  in  order  to  divert  the  attention  uT  the  eneniv  lioni  the  iiioveiiients  of  the  le- 
gion. Major  .'.nderson.  with  a  Miiall  ileiaeliinent,  was  sent  down  the  Pedee.  On 
the  ni;rl..  of  the 'Jlili,  Lee  .surprised  (leorneiown,  and  killed  some  ol'  the  Har- 
rison ;  1)111  the  ^{reater  part  (led  into  the  lorl,  whieh  Lee  was  not  in  a  coiulition 
t((  hesiege. 

On  hearing  of  .Moraan's  victory  and  daiiirer,  (Jeneral  (ireeiie's  ijreal  aim  w;is 
to  elleet  the  jmietioii  ol'  his  two  divisions.  .\  eeofilini;lv  he  called  in  his  detadi- 
inenis  ;  and,  leavinif  the  division  ai  Hick's  eieek,  iiinh'r  the  coin  iiand  of  Gen- 
eral linger  and  Cidonel  Olho  Holland  W'illiaius,  and  accompanied  only  hy  one 
aid-de-cainp  and  iwo  or  three  inoiinted  militia-men,  he  .set  out  lo  meet  Morgan. 
in  the  persuasion  that  on  the  spot  he  could  hetter  direct  tlie  iiiovenients  of  the 
troops  than  hy  any  «  riiten  instructions.  On  his  journey  ;ie  was  informed  that 
Cornwallis  was  in  rapid  |inrsiiitol'  MorL^'iii  ;  he  therelore  iles|)at(lied  iiisinictions 
to  Hiiger  and  Williams  to  inarch  as  l';ist  as  possible  in  order  to  join  Morgan's 
division  at  (Charlotte  or  S.dishiiry,  as  ciriumistances  might,  permit.  .Vfter  a  ride 
of  loO  miles,  Greene  arrived  in  .Morgan's  camp  on  the  31s'. 

On  the  evening  of  the  31st  ol  Jaiinary,  the  river  had  subsided,  but  the  fonls 
were  all  guarded,  ('orriwallis,  however,  resolved  lo  ait<'mpl  the  pa^sage  ;  and. 
in  oriler  to  perplex  the  Americans,  made  a  show  of  intending  to  cl•o^s  at  ilill'er- 
ent  points.  Colonel  Webster  with  one  division  of  the  army,  w  as  sent  'o  Beattie's 
ford  to  camioiiade  the  enemy  on  the  opjiosite  hank,  and  make  a  feint  of  attempt- 
ing to  force  the  passage  ;  but  the  real  attempt  was  to  be  made  at  a  private  ford 
near  M'Cowan's.  For  that  purpose  the  division  of  the  army  under  the  immedi- 
ate orders  ot' (■ornwallis,  left  their  ground  at  out!  in  the  morning  of  the  1st  ol 
February,  and  arrived  at  ihe  ford  toward  dawn  of  day.  The  lires  on  the  oppo- 
site bank  showed  the  liritish  commatider  that  the  ford,  though  a  private  one, 
was  not  neglected.  General  Davidson,  with  300  militia,  had  been  sent  on  the 
preceding  evening  to  guard  it ;  and  was  directed  by  Geiieri!!  Greene  to  post  his 
men  close  by  the  side  of  the  river  ;  he,  however,  stationed  only  a  small  parly  on 
the  bank,  v.'lijle  tlie  rest  were  encamped  at  some  distance. 

Although  Cornwallis  perceived  that  he  would  meet  with  opposition,  yet  he 
determined  to  force  the  passage.  The  river  was  about  500  yards  wide,  three 
reel  deep,  and  the  stream  rapid.  The  light  infantry  of  the  guards,  under  Colonel 
Hall,  accoii'pHided  by  a  guide,  tirsi  entered  the  ford  :  they  were  followed  by  the 
grenadiers,  w:;--  were  succeeded  liy  the  battalions  ;  the  men  moving  in  platoons, 
in  order  to  support  each  other  against  the  rapidity  of  the  current.  When  near 
the  middle  of  the  river,  they  were  challenged  by  an  American  sentinel,  who, 
receiving  no  answer,  after  challenging  thrice,  gave  the  alarm  by  firing  his  mus- 
ket. The  party  on  the  bank  instantly  turned  out.  ind  began  to  fire  in  the  line 
of  the  ford.  On  the  first  discharge  the  guide  fled,  and  Colonel  Hall,  ignoram 
of  the  direction  of  the  ford,  led  his  men  straight  across  the  river.  This  carried 
»he  columti  considerably  above  the  termination  of  the  ford,  and  consequently 
twok  them  out  o(  the  line  of  the  .American  fire,  which,  in  the  darkness  of  th< 


(>   !.•)  ol  uImiiiuk; 

muary,  wliile  li*- 
:-il  ill  camp,  niKl 
Gi'iMTiil  (;ri'eii»», 
cast  side  of  llif 
r.ir  service.  Oii 
(■!>ii>ii,  wliii'h  ar- 
incii,  aiiil  rJU  III- 
(•r>-i  fxpeditioii ; 
cmtMits  of  till.'  le- 
ill..  Ptilce.  Ol 
iuiiif  of  the  i;;ir- 
iii   ill   a  cuiidltiiiii 

;'»  iireat  aim  was 
1  ill  liis  dctai'li- 
Dili  iiaiiil  of  Gill- 
iiid  only  by  kih' 
to  meet  Morgan, 
iiiovomerils  of  tliu 
vas  informed  thai 
uchcd  ill!slrlK•^ion^ 
10  join  Morgan's 
init.      After  a  ride 


ili'd,  but  the  fords 
llie  piis.sage  ;  and. 

to  cross  at  ditl'er- 
as  sent  'O  Beatt'e's 
a  feint  of  attempt- 
8  at  a  private  ford 
under  the  iinmedi- 
iiim  of  the    1st  of 

fires  on  the  oppo- 
gli  a  private  one, 

been  sent  on  the 
Greene  to  post  his 
ly  a  small  party  on 

opposition,  yet  he 
)  v.ii-ds  wide,  three 
arils,  under  Colonel 
ere  followed  by  the 
moving  in  platoons, 
rreiit,  Wlien  near 
lean  sentinel,  who, 
I  by  firing  his  mus- 
in  to  fire  in  the  line 
:onel  Hall,  ignoram 
iver.  This  carried 
I,  and  consequently 
the  darkness  of  the 


,J 


"  ■-  \& 


""i^sriwsBftw^-'* 


^^ 


%.     '^'     r.% 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


UL  12.8 

ISO     "^ 


i 


2.5 
2.2 


18 


1.25   II  u    III  1.6 

r=       11=      111^ 

-^ 

6"     

► 

..^■f 


^ 


7i 


>:) 


>  • ! 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  8714503 


■<^ 


A^ 


^7% 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


11 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


363 


Aiorning,  was  kept  up  in  the  ilirection  of  the  ford,  and  fell  diaffonally  on  th« 
rear  of  the  grenadiers.  As  scon  as  Davidson  perceived  the  direction  of  the 
British  column,  he  led  his  men  to  the  point  where  it  was  about  to  land.  But, 
before  he  arrived,  the  light  infantry  had  overcomt  all  diHicultus,  and  were 
ascending  the  bank  and  formiuL'.  While  passing  the  river,  in  obeditiice  to 
orders,  they  reserved  their  tire,  and,  on  gaining  the  bank,  soon  put  the  militia  to 
flight.  Davidson  was  the  last  to  retreat,  and,  on  mounting  his  horse  to  retire, 
he  received  a  mortal  wound. 

The  defeat  of  Davidson  opened  the  passage  of  the  river.  All  the  American 
parties  retreated,  and  on  the  same  day  the  rest  of  the  British  army  crossed  at 
Beatlie's  ford.  Tarleton,  with  the  cavalry  and  the  23d  regiment,  was  sent  in 
pursuit  of  the  militia ;  and  being  informed  on  his  march  that  the  neighboring 
militia  were  assembling  at  Tarrant's  tavern,  about  ten  miles  distant,  he  hastened 
with  the  cavalry  !o  that  place.  About  500  militia  were  assembled,  and  seemed 
not  unprepared  to  receive  him.  He  attacked  them,  and  soon  defeated  and  dis- 
persed them  with  considerable  slaughter,  and  the  British  army  received  no  fur- 
ther trouble  from  the  militia  till  it  passed  the  Yadkin. 

General  Greene  now  retreated  and  marched  so  rapidly  that  he  passed  the 
Yadkin  at  the  trading  ford  on  the  night  between  the  2d  and  3d  of  February, 
partly  by  fording  and  partly  by  means  of  boats  and  flats.  So  closely  was  he 
pursued  that  the  British  van  was  often  in  sight  of  the  American  rear ;  and  a 
sharp  conflict  happened  not  far  from  the  ford,  between  a  body  of  American 
riflemen  and  the  advanced  guard  of  the  British  army,  when  the  latter  obtained 
possession  of  a  few  wagons.  General  Greene  secured  all  the  boats  on  the  south 
side :  and  here  it  again  happened  as  at  the  Catawba ;  the  river  suddenly  rose, 
by  reason  of  the  preceding  rains,  and  the  British  were  unable  to  pass.  This 
second  escape  by  the  swelling  of  the  waters  was  interpreted  by  the  Americans 
as  a  visible  interposition  of  Heaven  in  their  behalf,  and  inspired  them  with  a 
lofty  enthusiasm  in  thai  cause  which  seemed  to  be  the  peculiar  care  of 
Omnipotence. 

The  river  being  unfordable,  and  still  continuing  to  rise,  all  the  boats  being 
removed,  and  the  weather  appearing  unsettled,  Cornwallis  resolved  to  march  up 
the  south  bank  of  the  Yadkin  about  twenty-five  miles  up  to  the  shallow  fords 
near  its  source,  which  are  commonly  passable.  General  Greene,  released  from 
the  immediate  pressure  of  his  pursuers,  continued  his  march  northward,  and  on 
the  7th  of  February  joined  his  division  under  Huger  and  Williams  near  Guilford 
courthouse.  Thus  Cornwallis  missed  his  first  aim,  which  was,  to  recover  the 
prisoners,  to  retaliate  the  blow  which  Morgan  had  given  at  the  Cow-Pens,  to  pre- 
vent the  junction  of  the  iwo  divisions  of  the  American  army,  and  to  overwhelm 
one  or  both  of  theri. 

General  Gi«ene's  army  was  inferior  to  tho  force  under  Cornwallis ;  and 
therefore  the  British  general  deemed  it  important  to  get  between  Virginia  and 
General  Greene,  and  to  compel  him  to  fight  before  he  was  strengthened  by  his 
expected  reinforcements.  Accordingly,  although  his  army  was  without  tents, 
and,  like  the  Americans,  obliged  to  subsist  on  what  it  could  hastily  procure  in  a 
rapid  march,  he  resolved  not  to  abandon  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy. 

General  Greene's  infantry  amounted  to  2,000  men,  and  he  had  between  200 
and  300  cavalry ;  but  his  equipments  were  greatly  inferior  to  those  of  the  Brit- 
ish. He  believed  Cornwallis  to  have  upward  of  2,500  men,  and  he  therefore 
determined  to  avoid  a  battle  if  possible.  His  aim  was  to  retire  into  Virginia  , 
that  of  Cornwallis  was  to  prevent  the  execution  of  that  movement,  and  to  fight 
(lie  Americans  without  delay. 

The  river  Dan,  the  largest  and  most  southern  branch  of  the  Roanoke,  separ- 
M««»  North  Carolina  from  Virginia :  and  the  British  general  was  informed  thai 


i6l 


THE  PICTOKIAI.  HISTORY 


the  lower  f jrds  of  that  river  were  impassable  in  winter ;  that  the  ferries  vren 
distant  from  each  other ;  and  that  no  sufficient  number  of  boats  or  flats  could  be 
collected  at  any  one  ferry  to  transport  the  American  army  in  a  convenient  time. 
He  reasonably  concluded  that  if  he  could  prevent  General  Greene  from  passing 
the  upper  fords,  he  might  overtake  and  overwhelm  him  before  he  could  cross  at 
the  lower  ferries. 

Dix's  ferry,  about  fifty  miles  from  Guildford  courthouse,  was  in  the  direct 
road  to  Virginia ;  but  the  British  were  as  near  it  as  the  Americans,  and  it  was 
impossible  to  bring  up  boats  from  the  lower  ferries  against  the  rapid  current  of 
the  river  to  transport  the  Americans  before  the  arrival  of  the  British.  That 
route,  therefore,  was  abandoned  as  impracticable.  But  there  are  two  other  fer- 
ries, Boyd's  and  "'win's,  only  four  miles  distant  from  each  other,  considerably 
farther  down  the  .  ver,  and  about  seventy  miles  from  Guildford  courthouse. 
The  Americans  wert  neerest  those  ferries  by  about  twenty-five  miles,  the  whole 
distance  between  the  two  armies  ;  and  consequently,  in  that  direction,  they  had 
by  so  much  the  start  of  their  pursuing  enemies.  Besides,  all  the  boats  at  Dix's 
and  the  intermediate  ferries  could  easily  be  conducted  down  the  stream  to  Boyd's 
and  Irwin's.  An  officer,  therefore,  with  a  few  men,  was  instantly  despatched  to 
perform  that  service. 

In  order  to  cover  his  retreat,  and  to  check  the  pursuing  enemy.  General 
Greene  formed  a  light  corps  out  of  Lee's  legion,  Howard's  infantry,  Washing- 
ton's cavalry,  and  some  Virginia  riflemen  under  Major  Campbell,  amounting  to 
700  men,  the  flower  of  the  southern  army.  As  General  Morgan  was  severely 
indisposed,  the  command  of  these  light  troops  was  given  to  Colonel  Otho  Hol- 
land Williams. 

Having  refreshed  his  troops,  and  made  the  necessary  arrangements,  on  the 
morning  of  the  iOth  of  February,  General  Greene  left  Guildford  courthouse  on 
nis  march  toward  the  Dan  ;  and  was  pursued  by  Cornwallis,  who  had  been  de- 
tained by  the  long  circuit  which  he  was  obliged  to  make  in  order  to  pass  the 
Yadkin,  'I'he  retreat  and  pursuit  were  equally  rapid;  but  the  boldness  and 
activity  of  the  American  light  troops  compelled  the  British  to  march  compactly 
and  with  caution  ;  for  on  one  occasion  Colonel  Lee  charged  the  advanced  cav- 
airy  of  the  British  army  suddenly  and  furiously,  killed  a  number,  and  made  some 
prisoners.  General  Greene's  precautions  and  preparations  for  passing  the  Dan 
were  successful ;  and  on  the  1 4th  of  February,  he  crossed  that  river  at  Boyd's 
and  Irwin's  ferries,  with  his  army,  baggage,  and  stores.  Although  his  light 
troops  had  marched  forty  miles  that  day, 
reached  the  northern  bank,  when  the  adva. 
peared  on  the  other  side  of  the  river. 

The  escape  of  General  Greene  into  Virginia,  without  a  battle,  and  without 
any  loss,  except  a  few  wagons  at  the  Yadkin,  was  a  severe  disappointment  to 
Cornwallis.  The  pursuit  was  at  ..i  end,  and  the  Americans  safe;  for  the  river 
was  deep,  all  the  boats  were  removed  from  the  south  side,  and  the  American 
army  was  posted  on  the  opposite  bank  ;  General  Greene's  prudence  and  activity 
having  accomplished  what  was  deemed  impracticable. 

In  this  retreat  and  pursuit  of  more  than  200  miles,  both  armies  endured  exces- 
sive fatigue  and  hardships:  Want  of  tents,  bad  roads,  heavy  rains,  swollen  riv- 
ulets, and  scarcity  of  provisions,  were  privations  and  sufTerings  common  to  each. 

The  men  were  often  thoroughly  wetted,  without  any  means  of  drying  th«m- 
Belves  till  the  moisture  was  evaporated  by  the  heat  of  their  bodies.  The  in- 
clement season  of  the  year  aggravated  their  sufferings.  But  under  these  trials 
the  British  soldiers  had  great  advantages,  for  they  were  provided  with  shoes, 
and  comfortably  clothed.  But  the  Americans  were  in  rags,  and  many  of  them 
barefooted :  the  blood  flowing  from  the  gashes  in  their  naked  feet  marked  theii 


-he  last  of  them  had  scarcely 
fuard  of  the  British  army  ap- 


■  tifSfcfy^-?ft5*i»^S!((^^J>JW''«jca(^*yx:^f 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


305 


t  the  ferries  were 
s  or  flats  could  be 
1  convenient  time, 
eene  from  passing 
he  could  cross  at 

was  in  the  direct 
ricans,  and  it  was 
3  rapid  current  of 
he  British.  That 
ire  two  other  fer- 
ther,  considerably 
dford  courthouse. 
)  miles,  the  whole 
irection,  they  had 
the  boats  at  Dix's 
I  stream  to  Boyd's 
itly  despatched  to 

enemy,  General 
ifantry,  Washing- 
)ell,  amounting  to 
gan  was  severely 
lolonel  Otho  Hol- 

ngements,  on  the 
rd  courthouse  on 
ivho  had  been  de- 
order  to  pass  the 
the  boldness  and 
march  compactly 
he  advanced  cav- 
r,  and  made  some 
passing  the  Dan 
It  river  at  Boyd's 
Ithough  his  light 
lem  had  scarcely 
British  army  ap- 

ittle,  and  without 
lisappointment  to 
afe  ;  for  the  river 
id  the  American 
ence  and  activity 

3S  endured  exces- 
ains,  swollen  riv- 
common  to  each, 
of  drying  th«m- 
bodies.  The  in- 
nder  these  trials 
vided  with  shoes, 
nd  many  of  them 
feet  marked  theii 


Ime  of  march.     Yet  both  armies  bore  all  with  patient  fortitude  and  without  a 
ffiurmur.     The  Americans  did  not  lose  a  single  sentinel  by  desertion. 

('oriiwallis  entirely  failed  in  his  attempts  against  (lencriil  Greene ;  but  he 
was  consoled  by  the  reflection  that  he  had  completely  ilriveii  the  enemy  out  of 
North  Carolina,  and  that  now  there  was  nothing  to  hiiulcr  the  loyal  inhabitants 
from  openly  espousing  his  cause  and  reinforcing  his  army.  By  easy  inarches 
in;  iVll  l)ack  to  Hillsborough,  where,  on  the  20th  of  the  month,  he  erected  the 
roval  standard,  and  called  on  the  people  to  join  his  iiriny,  and  assist  him  in  re 
storiiiL'  order  and  consliliitional  government  in  the  country. 

Originally  in  North  Carolina,  tlu;  loyalists  were  more  numerous  than  in  any 
of  the  other  colonies ;  but  unsuccessful  insurrections  had  considerably  cooled 
their  zeal  and  diminished  their  nuiiii)ers.  Some  had  lell  the  province,  and  joined 
the  royal  army  in  .Suuth  Carolina ;  and  many,  rendered  cautious  by  experience, 
resolved  to  watch  the  course  of  events,  and  not  rashly  to  expose  their  lives  and 
fortunes  in  a  doubtful  and  hazardous  cause.  Considerable  numbers,  however, 
determined  to  encounter  every  risk,  and  made  preparations  for  repairing  to  the 
royal  standard.  But  those  proceedings  were  soon  checked  ;  for  General 
Greene,  asvare  of  the  inclinations  of  many  of  the  people,  on  the  18th  sent  Lee's 
legion  across  the  Dan,  into  North  Carolina,  to  watch  the  royal  army,  counteract 
the  ])roclamation,  and  intimidate  the  loyalists  ;  and,  being  reinforceil  by  600  Vir- 
ginia militia,  under  General  Stevens,  on  the  2 1st  and  22d  of  February  he  re- 
passed the  river  with  his  whole  army,  and  advanced  toward  the  British  encamp- 
ment. In  order  to  perplex  and  harass  ("ornwallis,  and  to  discourage  the  loyal- 
ists, he  stMit  forward  his  light  troops  to  hover  round  the  British  quarters  ;  while, 
with  his  main  body,  he  proceeded  slowly,  by  the  route  most  favorable  for  form- 
ing a  junction  with  some  North  Carolina  and  Virginia  miliiia  who  were  return- 
ing from  a  war  with  the  Cherokees.  With  the  force  then  under  his  command, 
he  had  no  intention  of  hazarding  a  general  action  ;  but  he  knew  tha'  his  pres 
ence  in  the  province  would  overawe  the  loyalists,  and  encouraged  the  friends  ol 
congress. 

Cornwallis  was  indefatigable  in  exciting  to  arms  the  adherents  of  royal  gov- 
ernment. In  one  (lay  he  imbodied  sevon  independent  companies ;  and  consid- 
erable numbers  were  assembling  in  order  to  join  his  army.  Colonel  Tarleton, 
with  part  of  the  legion,  was  detached  over  the  Haw  river,  to  protect  and  conduct 
to  camp  a  body  of  loyalists  who  had  agreed  to  meet  at  O'Neil's  plantation.  Gen- 
eral Pickens  and  Colonel  Lee  got  notice  of  Tarleton's  movements  and  design, 
and  concerted  measures  for  attacking  him  and  frustrating  his  intentions.  Lee, 
with  his  cavalry,  was  to  fall  upon  Tarleton ;  while  Pickens,  with  his  militia, 
was  to  disperse  the  loyalists.  On  the  evening  of  the  25th  the  loyalists 
were  paraded  in  a  lane  leading  to  O'Neil's  house,  when  Lee  entered  it  with 
his  cavalry.  At  first  he  mistook  them  for  Pickens's  militia,  who,  he  imagined, 
had  reached  the  place  before  him.  They  were  equally  in  error  with  respect 
to  him.  They  mistook  his  cavalry  for  Tarleton's.  Lee,  however,  on  ob- 
serving the  red  rag  on  their  hat,  the  badge  of  loyalty,  soon  became  sensible  of 
their  real  character  ;  but  he  resolved  to  pass  on  toward  Tarleton,  leaving  the  lo- 
ries to  Pickens.  That  officer  with  his  militia  soon  came  up  :  a  firing  between 
him  and  the  loyalists  immediately  began  ;  and  Lee,  perceiving  that  Tarleton, 
who  was  within  a  mile,  would  be  alarmed,  and  could  not  now  be  surprised,  in- 
stantly wheeled  and  fell  upon  the  astonished  loyalists,  who,  as  he  was  cutting 
them  down,  exclaimed  that  they  were  the  king's  best  friends. 

On  hearing  the  firing,  Tarleton,  who  was  refreshing  his  men  about  a  mile 
from  the  bloody  scene,  instantly  mounted,  recrossed  the  Haw,  and  hastened  to 
Hillsborough.  Ho  met  some  loyalists  on  their  way  to  camp,  and,  mistakiiif} 
'htm  for  provincial  militia,  put  them  to  the  sabre.     Thus  these  unfortunate  per 


366 


THE    PICTORIAL    HISTORY 


sons  were  mas»acreil  equully  by  those  whom  they  came  to  assist  and  those 
whom  they  meant  to  oppose.  General  Greene  recrossing  the  Dan,  and  the 
massacre  of  Colonel  Pyle's  corps,  disconcerted  the  measures  of  Cornwallis,  ai.-J 
80  completely  intimidated  the  loyal  inhah;:ant8  that  few  of  them  afterward  re- 
paired to  the  royal  standard. 

The  country  about  Hillsborough,  having  been  traversed  by  both  armies,  was 
nearly  exliausted  ;  and  it  was  obvious  that  the  royal  army  could  not  long  remain  at 
that  place.  Although  Cornwallis,  in  his  proclamation,  had  allowed  forty  days  to 
the  loyal  inhabitants  to  come  in,  yet,  on  the  27th  of  February,  only  six  days  after 
issuing  the  proclamation,  he  found  it  expedient  to  decamp  from  Hillsborough. 
He  passed  the  Haw,  a  branch  of  Cape  Fear  river,  and  took  a  position  on  Alia- 
manee  creek,  in  order  to  procure  provisions  for  his  troops,  and  to  protect  the 
numerous  loyal  inhabitants  residing  between  the  Haw  and  Deep  river. 

As  Cornwallis  retreated,  General  Greene  advanced,  passed  the  northern 
branch  of  the  Haw,  and  encamped  betweon  Troublesome  creek  and  Ready  Fork. 
He  assumed  a  confident  air,  although  he  did  not  yet  feel  himself  strong  enough 
to  hazard  a  battle ;  and,  in  order  to  avoid  a  surprise,  he  changed  his  ground 
every  night,  without  disclosing  to  any  person  beforehand  the  new  position  which 
he  intended  to  take.  In  his  difficult  and  critical  movement  to  check  an  enemy 
whom  he  durst  not  encounter,  and  to  maintain  positions  favorable  to  a  junction 
with  his  expected  reinforcements.  General  Greene  was  greatly  assisted  by  an 
active  light  infanty  and  a  daring  body  of  cavalry,  who  penetrated  the  country  in 
every  direction,  and  so  overawed  the  loyalists  that  Cornwallis  found  it  difficult 
to  procure  information  on  which  he  could  rely. 

After  several  movements  the  American  light  troops  and  some  militia  took  post 
on  the  branches  of  Reedy  Fork,  while  General  Greene,  with  his  main  body,  lay 
at  some  distance  toward  Guilford  courthouse.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  6th 
of  March,  Cornwallis,  under  cover  of  a  thick  fog,  passed  the  AUamanee,  and 
marched  toward  Reedy  Fork  to  beat  up  the  quarters  of  the  light  troops,  and  to 
bring  General  Greene  to  a  battle  if  a  favorable  opportunity  presented  itself.  A 
sharp  encounter  ensued,  and  some  loss  was  sustained  on  each  side.  The  Ameri- 
cans retreated,  but  no  important  advantage  was  gained  over  them.  General 
Greene  fell  back  to  the  iron-works  on  Troublesome  creek,  and  Cornwallis  re- 
turned to  his  station  near  the  quaker's  meetinghouse  at  the  forks  of  Deep  river. 

At  length  General  Greene  received  all  the  reinforcements  which  he  expected ; 
therefore  he  again  advanced,  and  took  a  position  near  Guilford  courthouse, 
within  about  ten  mil(>8  of  the  British  encampment.  On  the  13th  of  March  his 
arrny  amounted  to  4,261  men,  including  180  cavalry,  under  Colonels  Washington 
and  Lee.  The  continental  infantry  amounted  to  1,490.  The  rest  of  the  army 
consisted  of  the  Virginia  militia,  commanded  by  General  Stevens ;  and  of  the 
North  Carolina  militia,  under  Generals  Butler  and  Eaton.  Hitherto  Genera) 
Greene  had  studiously  avoided  a  battle ;  but  having  received  all  his  reinforce 
msnts,  he  now  resolved  to  risk  a  general  engagement.  His  movements  indica 
ted  his  intention  ;  and  Cornwallis  readily  embraced  the  proffered  opportunity  of 
a  battle.  Accordingly,  on  the  evening  of  the  14th  of  March,  he  sent  off  his 
baggage  under  a  proper  escort  to  Bell's  mills,  on  Deep  river,  and  early  next 
morning  put  his  army  in  motion  toward  Guillbrd  courthouse. 

General  Greene,  who  was  meditating  an  attack  on  the  British,  had  his  men 
prepared  for  action,  when  the  firing  of  his  advanced  parties  gave  him  notice  of 
ho  approach  of  the  English  army.  About  three  miles  in  front  of  the  Ameri- 
can encampment,  the  van  of  the  royal  troops,  consisting  of  the  cavalry,  the  light 
infantry  of  the  guards,  and  the  yagers,  under  Colonel  Tarleton,  fell  in  with  the 
American  advanced  guard,  consisting  of  Lee's  legion,  with  some  riflemen  under 
Campbell  and  Lynch.    A  severe  conflict  ensued,  and  was  obstinately  maiutainetl 


'^-i.*- 


OF  TMR  AMKIUCAN   RK VOI^IJTION. 


afi'7 


0  assist  and  those 
g  the   Dan,  and  the 

1  of  Cornwallis,  ai.d 
them  afterward  re- 

y  both  armies,  was 
id  not  long  remain  at 
(lowed  forty  days  to 
,  only  six  days  after 
from  Hillsborough. 
:  a  position  on  Alla« 
3,  and  to  protect  the 
leep  river, 
assed  the  northern 
ek  and  Ready  Fork, 
iself  strong  enough 
changed  his  ground 
new  position  which 
to  check  an  enemy 
rorable  to  a  junction 
atly  assisted  by  an 
rated  the  country  in 
His  found  it  ditficult 

me  militia  took  post 
1  his  main  body,  lay 

morning  of  the  6th 
the  Allamanee,  and 

light  troops,  and  to 
presented  itself.  A 
J  side.  The  Ameri- 
rer  them.  General 
and  Cornwallis  re- 
»rks  of  Deep  river, 
which  he  expected ; 
juilford  courthouse, 
I  13th  of  March  his 
olonels  Washington 
le  rest  of  the  army 
itevens ;  and  of  the 
Hitherto  Genera) 
ed  all  his  reinforce 
I  movements  indica 
'ered  opportunity  of 
ch,  he  sent  off  his 
iver,  and  early  next 

British,  had  his  men 
gave  him  notice  of 
front  of  the  Ameri- 
tie  cavalry,  the  light 
ton,  fell  in  with  the 
lome  riflemen  under 
stinately  maiutaineti 


ijii  both  sides  till  the  appearance  of  the  '2.3d  regiment  to  support  Paileton  mmle 
Lee  hastily  retreat.  During  this  skirmish  Generiil  Greene  put  liis  army  inordi't 
ot'  battle,  about  a  mile  from  Guildford  courthouse.  The  whole  country  presented 
the  appearance  of  a  vast  wilderness  covered  with  tall  trees  and  a  tliick  uiid'T- 
wood,  interspersed  with  a  few  cleared  fields.  General  Greene  drew  up  his 
army  in  three  lines  on  a  large  hill,  surrounded  by  other  woody  emitiences  :  liis 
Hrst  line,  composed  entirely  of  the  militia  of  North  Carolina,  and  amounting  to 
1.060  men,  exclusive  of  officers,  under  Generals  Butler  and  Eaton,  was  advanta- 
geously posted  on  the  edge  of  the  wood,  behind  a  strong  rail  fence,  with  an  exteii- 
.^ive  open  field  in  front  ol"  their  centre,  through  which  ran  the  great  road  to  Salis- 
liurv  ;  on  it,  in  the  centre  of  the  line,  were  place  two  field-pieces.  The  second  line, 
consisting  of  tlie  two  brigades  of  Virginia  militia,  amounting  to  1,123  men  under 
Generals  Stevens  and  Lawson,  was  drawn  up  in  the  wood,  about  300  yards  be- 
hind the  first,  and  on  both  sides  of  thi;  great  road  to  .Salisbury.  The  third  line, 
jiosted  about  300  yards  behind  the  second,  consisted  of  the  Virginia  regular 
troops  under  General  linger,  on  the  right,  and  the  Maryland  brigade  under 
('oloii.d  Williams  on  the  left :  this  line  was  drawn  up  obliquely,  with  its  left  di- 
verging from  the  second  line,  and  partly  in  open  groinid.  VVashington,  with  his 
cavalry  and  some  rilleinen,  formed  a  corps  of  observation  on  the  right  flank ; 
and  Lee's  legion,  with  a  body  of  riflemen  under  ('ampbell  and  Preston,  covered 
tiie  lett.  The  baggage  was  sent  olT  to  the  iron-works  on  Troublesome  creek, 
where  the  army  was  ordered  to  rendezvous  in  ease  of  defeat. 

After  the  rencounter  between  Lee  and  Tarleton,  Cornwallis  continued  his 
march  tdward  the  American  army ;  and  as  soon  as  the  head  of  the  column  ap- 
peared in  sight,  it  was  tnet  by  a  cannonade  from  the  two  six-p(ninders  stationed 
on  the  road.  The  British  returned  the  fire.  Cornwallis  instantly  made  his  dis- 
positions for  the  attack.  The  7 1st  regiment,  and  the  regiment  of  Bosc,  led  by 
General  Leslie,  supported  by  the  first  battaliim  of  the  guards  under  Colonel 
Norton,  formed  his  right  wing.  The  23d  and  33d  regiment^,  commanded  by 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Webster,  supported  by  the  grenadiers  and  second  battalion 
of  the  guards  under  General  O'Hara,  formed  the  left.  The  light  infantry  of  the 
guards,  and  the  yagers,  with  the  cavalry,  formed  a  corps  of  observation ;  the 
artillery  was  in  the  centre.     The  British  army  amounted  to  upward  of  2,000  men. 

The  dispositions  having  been  made,  the  line  was  ordered  to  advance,  and  it 
moved  forward.  When  the  British  were  at  the  distance  of  140  yards,  the 
American  first  line  began  to  fire ;  but,  although  most  advantageously  posted, 
many  of  them,  without  even  firing  their  loaded  muskets  or  being  fired  upon, 
threw  down  their  arms,  ran  into  the  woods,  and  made  the  best  of  their  way  to 
their  respective  homes.  Few,  even  of  those  who  remained,  gave  more  than  .• 
second  discharge  ;  but,  on  receiving  the  fire  of  the  British,  they  fled  precipi- 
tately, in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  their  officers  to  rally  them,  and  sought  refuge 
behind  the  second  line.  The  British  steadily  advanced,  but  experienced  more 
resistance  from  the  Virginia  militia  than  they  had  done  from  those  of  North 
Carolina.  The  Virginians  maintained  the  conflict  till  Stevens,  perceiving  their 
inability  any  longer  to  withstand  the  shock,  ordered  a  retreat.  That  officer, 
though  wounded,  did  not  leave  the  field.  The  British  suflTered  considerably  in 
their  conflict  with  the  American  second  line  ;  but,  nevertheless,  they  advanced 
iiteadily  against  the  continentals  under  Huger  and  Williams.  The  British  line 
was  unavoidably  a  good  deal  broken  by  the  diflferent  degrees  of  resistance  it  had 
experienced  at  different  points,  by  impediments  arising  from  the  thickness  of  the 
woods  and  the  inequalities  of  the  ground,  and  by  being  extended  to  the  right  and 
left  in  order  to  present  a  front  equal  to  that  of  the  enemy  :  the  whole,  however 
•noved  on,  and  the  second  battalion  of  the  guards,  under  Colonel  Stuart,  first 
'cached  the  open  ground  on  which  the  greater  part  of  the  continentals  werti 


•JHM 


riiii:  picToruAi.  iiistoiiy 


drawn  up;  and,  impatifiit  to  sijrnalize  ihenisolves,  impetuously  rushed  on  tlie 
««H'(tn(l  Miiryliintl  rej;iinciit,  wliit-li,  iusicad  of  lirinly  meeting  tht-  iiliarjfe,  lied  in 
eonliision.  Tlie  guards  eagerly  pursued  iIumh,  and  took  two  six-p<nnulers  wiiieii 
had  been  alianiloned ;  l)ut  tlu-y  were  arrested  in  their  progress  by  a  (h'struetive 
tire  t'roui  the  first  Maryland  regiment,  which  threw  them  into  some  contusion  : 
at  that  critical  moment  \Vashinglon".s  cavalry  made  a  furious  charge  upon  ihem, 
and  were  followed  by  tlu'  first  Maryland  regiment  with  fixed  bayonets.  Tho 
guards  were  completely  broken,  with  nnich  slaughter,  and  the  two  field-pieces 
were  retaken  ;  but,  the  British  advancing  bolii  on  tlie  right  and  left,  the  Ameri- 
cans in  their  turn  wt^re  comptdled  to  retreat,  and  the  two  six-pounders  were 
again  retaken.  These  two  field-pieces  liad  been  lost  by  the  British  at  Saratoga  ; 
they  were  recovered  by  Cornwallis  at  the  battle  of  Camden,  were  retaken  by 
Morgan  at  the  Cow-Pens,  and  after  changing  masters  several  times  on  the  field 
of  Guildford  courthouse,  ultimately  on  that  day  remained  m  possession  of  the 
British.  After  a  hard-fought  battle  of  nearly  two  hours,  the  royal  army  pre- 
vailed ;  and  General  Greene  was  obliged  with  reluctance  to  direct  a  retrct, 
which  was  performed  with  regularity  and  good  order. 

After  the  engagement  had  ceased  on  the  left  and  centre  of  the  British  line,  a 
firing  was  still  heard  on  the  right,  where  General  Leslie  commanded  ;  it  was 
occasioned  by  some  rifiemen,  who,  availing  themselves  of  the  woody  nature  of 
the  ground,  kept  up  a  distant  and  irregular  discharge.  Tarleton  was  sent  to  dis- 
perse them,  which  he  accomplished,  after  receiving  a  slight  wound.  The  23d 
and  71st  regiments  were  sent  in  pursuit;  but,  when  the  British  general  was 
fully  informed  of  the  circumstances  of  the  day,  and  of  the  severe  loss  which  he 
had  sustained,  he  recalled  them.  General  Greene  continued  his  retreat  to 
Reedy  Fork,  three  miles  from  the  field  of  battle.  Af  ,er  passing  the  stream  he 
drew  up  his  men,  and  halted  for  some  time  to  colleLt  the  stragglers,  and  then 
retired  to  Speedwell's  iron-works  on  Troublesome  creek,  ten  miles  from  Guild- 
ford courthouse,  which  was  the  appointed  place  of  assembling  the  army  in  case 
of  discomfiture. 

This  was  one  of  the  severest  battles  in  ihe  course  of  the  war.  In  every  en- 
gagement where  General  Greene  commanded,  many  of  the  Americans  fought 
obstinately,  and  in  this  action,  the  Virginia  militia  fought  bravely  ;  and  Stevens's 
brigade  did  not  retreat  till  that  officer,  who  had  received  a  ball  in  his  thigh,  see- 
ing his  men  about  to  be  charged  with  the  bayonet,  and  sensible  that  they  could 
not  stand  such  a  mode  of  attack,  both  from  their  state  of  discipline  and  their  want 
of  that  weapon,  ordered  a  retreat,  A  considerable  number  of  the  continentals 
were  new  levies  ;  and  although  much  inferior  to  veteran  troops,  yet  in  geneial 
•he''  displayed  a  good  deal  of  firmness,  and  part  of  the  American  army  manifested 
much  bravery.  General  Greene  lost  four  field-pieces,  which  were  the  whole  of 
his  artillery,  and  two  wagons.  About  300  of  the  continentals,  and  100  of  the 
Virginia  mihtia,  were  killed  or  wounded.  Among  the  former  was  Major  Ander- 
son of  the  Maryland  line,  much  lamented  by  his  countrymen ;  among  the  latter 
was  General  Huger,  besides  General  Stevens.  Of  the  North  Carolina  militia 
six  were  killed  and  three  wounded,  and  552  were  missing.  Of  the  Virginia 
militia  294  were  missir.g.  Few  of  the  missing  wre  made  prisoners  ;  they  re- 
turned home,  and  never  rejoined  the  army  ;  so  that  General  Greene  sustained  a 
great  diminution  of  lumbers. 

The  British  lost  several  valuable  otiicers,  and  more  than  a  third  of  the  troops 
engaged  in  the  battle  fell.  According  to  the  official  returns,  the  loss  of  ihe 
British  amounted  to  532,  of  whom  93  were  killed  on  the  field,  413  were  wound- 
ed, and  2b  were  missing. 

After  the  battle,  the  field  presented  an  afflicting  spectacle  :  it  was  strewed,  lo 
a  considerable  extent,  with  the  dead  and  woimded.     The  victors  collected  liio 


OF  THE  a.vii:kic\n  rkvolction. 


8e» 


iisly  rushcMl  on  tlie 
:  tilt)  i;li:ir}fe,  llfd  in 
six-|Miiiiulfrs  whii'ii 
ss  by  ii  (iostnictivo 
to  some  cont'usiiiii : 
charge  upon  iliein, 
[■(1  bayonets.  Tlie 
be  two  field-pieces 
.11(1  left,  the  Aineri- 
six-pounders  were 
British  at  Saratoga ; 
I,  were  retakcti  by 
1  times  on  the  field 
I  possession  of  the 
le  royal  army  pre- 
;o  direct  a  retrct, 

the  British  line,  a 
mmaiided  ;  it  was 
3  woody  nature  of 
ton  was  sent  to  dis- 
wound.  The  23d 
ritish  general  was 
vere  loss  which  he 
ued  his  retreat  to 
ing  the  stream  he 
ragglers,  and  then 

miles  from  Guild- 
g  the  army  in  case 

var.  In  every  en- 
Americans  fought 
sly  ;  and  Stevens's 
il  in  his  thigh,  see- 
)le  that  they  could 
iline  and  their  want 
}f  the  continentals 
ips,  yet  in  geneiai 
m  army  manifested 
were  the  whole  of 
Is,  and  100  of  the 
was  Major  Ander- 
among  the  latter 
h  Carolina  militia 
Of  the  Virginia 
risonera  ;  they  re- 
jreene  sustained  a 

third  of  the  troops 
as,  the  loss  of  the 
,  413  were  wound- 
it  was  strewed,  to 
ctors  collected  ilio 


tvirunded  as  soon  as,  in  all  the  i"ircuinMl;nu't'S  of  the  case,  tliey  were  ai)li'  ;  biiv 
could  afford  thorn  no  adccpiiite  assistanci',  for  thoy  were  without  tents,  and  thero 
wiTi'  no  houses  near  to  slielter  the  sufferers.  HcskIcs,  the  troops  hud  niarilied 
yniTMi  miles  in  the  morning,  had  no  provisions  for  themselves  on  that  diiy,  and 
1  iMiscijuenlly  could  gi.'e  iiOtliing  to  their  Itleeding  companions.  The  succeeding 
niiiht  was  extremely  dark  and  wet,  and  the  piercing  shrieks  of  the  dying  falling 
(in  the  ear  amid  the  deep  gloom,  and  imdur  torrents  of  rain,  penetrated  every 
(I'cliiig  heart  with  anguish  :  but,  though  melting  with  compassion,  they  were  un- 
■tljje  to  afford  even  tin;  shadow  of  relief.  Ere  morning  death  rescued  many  of 
ilie  miserable  sufferers  from  their  pangs. 

Coniwallis,  however,  had  gained  no  permanent  advantage.  His  army,  which 
was  weak  liefore,  was  nuich  diminished.  He  made  every  possible  exertion,  and 
tniployed  all  the  means  at  his  disposal  to  the  best  advantage.  After  an  obstinate 
lontlict,  he  had  dislodged  the  enemy  from  an  advantageous  position,  and  driven 
liini  from  the  field  ;  but  his  embarrassments  were  not  relieved.  So  far  from  be- 
ing able  to  follow  up  his  victory  and  pursue  General  Greene,  he  was  obliged  to 
faH  l)ack,  although  the  motives  which  led  to  the  battle  of  Guildford  courthouse 
were  little  weakened.  The  British  army  was  so  much  diminished,  and  the  diffi- 
culty of  finding  subsistence  in  that  part  of  the  country  was  so  great,  that  on  the 
tliird  day  after  the  battle  ho  began  a  retreat,  leaving  a  number  of  the  wounded, 
who  coidd  not  properly  be  removed,  at  the  quaker's  meetinghouse,  under  the 
proiection  of  •:  flag  of  truce.  The  battle  of  Guildford  courthouse  may  be  con- 
Bidered  as  the  first  step  in  a  series  of  movements  which  terminated  in  the  over- 
brow  of  the  British  power  in  America. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


instead  of  returning  to  South  Carolina,  Cornwallis  retired  to  Cross  creek,  ou 
a  branch  of  Cape  Fear  river,  where  there  was  a  friendly  settlement  of  Scottish 
highlanders,  and  afterward  to  Wilmington,  about  100  miles  lower  on  the  same 
river.  Before  his  departure  from  Wynnesboroug!  n  pursuit  of  Morgan  and 
Greene,  Coniwallis  had  directed  Colonel  Balfour,  tj.^  .cmmandant  of  Chanes- 
ton,  to  send  a  sufficient  force  by  sea,  to  take  possession  of  Wilmington  in  North 
Carolina,  situated  near  the  mouth  of  Cape  Fear  river.  Balfour  intrusted  the 
execHtion  of  this  enterprise  to  Major  Craig,  who,  about  the  end  of  January,  en- 
tered the  place  after  a  slight  resistance.  He  carefully  fortified  himself,  and 
made  bis  post  respectable. 

For  the  convenience  of  his  sick  and  wounded,  and  for  procuring  subsistence 
to  his  army.  Cornwallis  by  easy  marches  proceeded  toward  Cross  creek,  in  the 
hope  that  there  the  troops  would  be  plentifully  supplied,  and  the  sick  and  wound- 
ed receive  that  comfortable  accommodation  and  those  refreshments  of  which 
they  stood  greatly  in  need.  He  arrived  at  Cress  creek  about  the  beginning  of 
April,  where  he  had  to  encounter  new  disappointments.  Forage  for  four  days 
could  not  be  procured  within  twenty  miles ;  and  the  communication  by  water 
with  Wilmington  was  found  impracticable  ;  for  the  river  is  narrow,  the  banks  in 
many  places  are  high,  and  the  inhabitants  of  a  considerable  part  of  the  interve- 

24 


370 


THK  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


riiiig  country  wero  oxtniiiely  hostile.  In  all  theso  lircuinstiiiicrs,  roniwallu 
was  obliged  to  proceed  toward  Wilmington,  the  vicinity  of  which  place  he 
reached  on  the  7lh  of  April.  There,  for  a  while,  we  shall  leave  him,  and  at- 
tend to  the  operations  of  General  Greene. 

When  Generid  (ireene  toolv  his  position  at  the  iron-works  on  'I'roiihlesnnie 
creek,  after  the  hattle  of  Guildford  courthouse,  he  expected  that  Cornwallis 
woidd  follow  up  hin  advantage,  and  attack  him  without  delay.  lie  tliereforc 
prepared  a};ain  to  light.  His  army,  indeed,  was  nuich  diminished  ;  but  he  hail 
lost  more  in  numbers  than  in  efl'cctive  strength.  The  militia,  many  of  wlioin 
had  returned  home,  had  shown  themselves  very  inelficientin  the  field.  As  soon 
as  he  received  certain  informauon  that,  instead  of  pursuing,  Cornwallis  was  re- 
treating, he  resolved  to  follow  him,  and  advanced  accordingly.  On  arriving  at 
tlie  quakers'  meetinghouse,  he  found  the  wounded  British  and  .American  ofTicers 
and  soldiers  who  had  lieen  left  l)ehind  ;  but  he  had  no  means  of  making  any 
adequate  provision  for  them.  In  that  distressing  case.  General  Greene  addressed 
a  letter  to  the  quakers  in  the  vicinity,  in  which  he  told  them  that  he  had  been 
brought  up  in  theirpcrsuasioi.,and  that  now  they  had  an  opportunity  of  exercising 
their  humanity,  without  distinction  of  parties,  both  to  the  wounded  British  and 
Americans,  who  without  their  friendly  aid  must  perish.  Ilis  appeal  was  not 
disregarded  ;  for  the  quakers  inunediately  funiished  the  requisite  supplies  for 
the  hospital. 

General  Greene,  who  was  now  in  his  turn  the  pursuer,  followed  Cornwallis 
80  closely,  tnat  skirmishes  occasionally  happened  between  his  advanced  par 
ties  and  the  rear-guard  of  the  British  army :  but  no  conflict  of  importance  en- 
sued. On  the  morning  of  the  28lh  of  March  he  arrived  at  Ramsay's  mills,  on 
Deep  river,  a  strong  post,  which  the  British  had  evacuated  a  few  hours  before, 
crossing  the  river  by  a  bridge  erected  for  the  purpose.  There  General  Greene 
paused,  and  meditated  on  his  future  movements.  His  army  had  for  some  time 
past  suffered  much  from  heavy  rains,  deep  roads,  and  scarcity  of  provisions.  On 
reaching  Ramsay's  mills,  his  men  v.  ore  starving  with  hunger.  The  troops  were 
much  exhausted,  and  stood  in  need  of  repose  and  refresnment.  Besides,  in  thai 
critical  state  of  the  campaign,  he  found  himself  reduced  to  a  handful  of  conti- 
nentals. Most  of  the  North  Carolina  militia  had  left  the  army.  The  Virginia 
militia  had  been  called  out  for  six  weeks  only  ;  that  period  was  nearly  expired 
and  the  place  of  those  who  were  about  to  return  home  was  not  yet  filled  up  by 
those  who  were  to  succeed  them.  Small  as  his  army  was,  he  found  great  diffi- 
culty in  procuring  subsistence  for  it. 

Cornwallis  had  fairly  the  start  of  the  Americans,  and  was  advancing  to  a 
place  where  he  would  find  more  plentiful  supplies,  and  easily  communicate  with 
the  sea ;  so  that  General  Greene  was  sensible  that  with  the  force  then  under 
his  command  he  could  make  no  impression  on  him.  He  resolved,  therefore,  in- 
stead of  following  his  opponent,  to  proceed  to  South  Carolina.  That  step,  he 
thought,  would  oblige  Cornwallis  either  to  follow  him  or  to  abandon  his  posts  in 
the  up(\,er  parts  of  the  southern  states.  If  he  followed  him.  North  Carolina 
would  be  relieved,  and  enabled  to  raise  its  quota  of  men  for  the  continental  ser- 
rice  ;  but  if  he  remained  in  that  state,  or  proceeded  to  the  northward,  it  was 
likely  that  the  greater  part  of  the  British  posts  in  South  Carolina  and  Georgia 
would  be  reduced,  and  that  those  states  would  be  restored  to  the  Union.  But 
he  entertained  little  apprehension  of  Cornwallis  being  able,  with  the  force  then 
under  his  command,  to  make  any  permanent  impression  on  the  powerful  state 
if  Virginia. 

On  the  departure  of  the  miliiia.  General  Greene's  armj  was  reduced  to  the 
regular  troops  of  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Delaware,  amounting  to  about  1,700 
men,  including  cavalry  and  artillery  ;  and  the  British  army,  under  the  immedi 


oF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


3:1 


istaiK'PS,  (""omwalln 
(»f  wliicli  |)l!ice  he 
leave  him,  ami  at- 

iB  on  TroiiblesmiK! 
led  that  Coriiwallis 
ilay.  He  thcrelbrt' 
lished  ;  but  he  hail 
itia,  many  of  wIidid 
I  the  field.  .As  simiii 
Coniwallis  was  re- 
ly. On  arriving  at 
1(1  .Vmerican  officers 
eans  of  making  any 
al  Greene  addressed 
n  that  he  had  been 
rluniiy  of  exercising 
ounded  British  and 
lis  appeal  was  not 
iquisite  supplies  foi 

followed  Cornwallis 
n  his  advanced  par 
t  of  importance  en- 
Ramsay's  mills,  on 
I  a  few  hours  before, 
lere  General  Greene 
Y  had  for  some  time 
ty  of  provisions.  On 
r.  The  troops  were 
nt.  Besides,  in  that 
a  handful  of  conti- 
,rmy.  The  Virginia 
I  was  nearly  expired 
8  not  yet  filled  up  by 
he  found  great  diffi- 

was  advancing  to  a 
ly  communicate  with 
le  force  then  under 
isolved,  therefore,  in- 
)lina.  That  step,  he 
abandon  his  posts  in 
him,  North  Carolina 
■  the  continental  ser- 
\e  northward,  it  was 
!^arolina  and  Georgia 
to  the  Union.  But 
5,  with  the  force  then 
n  the  powerful  state 

was  reduced  to  the 
anting  to  about  1,700 
',  under  the  immedi 


ate  command  of  Cornwallis.  was  still  less  numerous,  not  exceeding  l,iOO  men. 
So  small  was  the  force  witii  wiiicii  (Jreat  Britain  and  the  United  Stales  were 
eaijeriy  contemling  for  an  extensive  and  vahiable  tract  of  country. 

Hiiving  refreshed  his  troops,  and  collected  provisions  for  a  few  days.  General 
Greene  moved  from  Ramsay's  mills,  on  Deep  river,  on  the  5th  of  April,  toward 
Camden  ;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  'JOtli  of  the  same  month  encamped  at  Log 
town,  in  sight  of  the  British  works  at  that  pl.iee. 

Cornwallis  had  not  been  without  ap|)reheiisions  of  General  Greene's  proceed 
imr  to  South  Carolina,  and  had  despatchcil  several  messengers  to  Lord  Rawdon, 
wlio  commanded  at  Camden,  to  prepare  him  for  such  an  event ;  but  not  one  of 
these  messengers  reached  the  place  of  his  destination.  Soon  after  his  arrival 
al  Wilmington,  Cornwallis  received  certain  information  that  General  Greene  had 
actually  made  the  apprehended  movement;  and  it  threw  him  into  much  perplex- 
ity. He  was  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  Rawdon;  but,  though  desirous  of  assist- 
ing him,  he  was  convinced  that  the  .Americans  were  already  so  far  advanced 
that  it  w.a8  impossible  for  him  to  arrive  at  Camden  in  time  to  succor  Rawdon,  if 
he  should  need  succor.  His  lordship's  fate  and  that  of  his  garrison  would  prob- 
ably lie  decided  long  before  he  could  reach  them  ;  and  if  General  Greene  should 
be  successful  at  Camden,  he,  by  attempting  to  relieve  it,  might  be  hemmed  in 
between  the  great  rivers,  and  exposed  to  the  most  immitient  hazard.  On  the 
other  hand,  if  Rawdon  should  defeat  General  Greene,  there  would  be  no  need 
of  his  assistance.  A  movement  so  perilous  in  the  execution,  and  promising  so 
little  in  the  result,  was  abandoned,  and  Rawdon  left  to  his  own  resources.  An 
uncommonly  active  campaign  was  now  about  to  open  in  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia.  The  importance  of  the  prize,  the  talents  of  the  generals,  the  courage 
and  suflerings  of  the  soldiers,  and  the  accumulated  miseries  of  the  inhabitants, 
all  contributed  to  give  the  struggle  for  those  states  a  degree  of  interest  seldom 
feh  in  military  transactions  in  wlticli  such  small  armies  are  engaged 


Fio.  150. — Lord  Rawdon. 

VVhei.  Cornwallis  entered  North  Carolina,  the  command  of  South  Carolina 
*nd  Georgia  was  committed  to  Lord  Rawdon ;  and,  for  the  secuiity  of  the  Brit- 
tsh  power  in  those  provinces,  a  line  of  posts  was  continued  from  Charleston,  by 
the  way  of  Camden  and  Ninety-Six,  to  Augusta  in  Georgia.  Camden  was  the 
most  important  point  in  the  line,  and  there  Rawdon  had  taken  post  with  a 
garrison  of  about  900  men.  On  the  day  before  he  left  Ramsay's  mills.  General 
Greene  sent  Colonel  Lee  with  his  legion  to  join  General  Marion,  and  surprise 
an  intermediate  post,  which,  like  other  stations  of  the  kind,  was  but  slightly  for- 
tif  ed,  and  garrisoned  by  a  few  regulars,  and  such  of  the  militia  of  the  country 
«e  attached  themselves  to  the  British  interest. 


J'.' 


'-■-R^a^*"*'-^^*"-^ 


iT2 


TIIF    PKTOIUAr-    IllSTOUY 


G«M»t'r;il    Miiiicn   on   the  iii)rili«;i>i,  iinl  (itiuTiil   Sniii|)ifr  on   ilio   soiilhrte* 

fiiiris  of  Sdiiih  Ciir»Min:i,  cncli  ;ii  llir  lir.iil  ol' ii  small  p.irly  of  inounlod  ^(lll(»^v^•r^ 
liid  ni;iintiiini-(l  a  hold  Init  iiiilVeitutil  Wiirtiirt' ;  ;inil  I'riMn  tht-ir  t'cehle  ami  Juoiil- 
tory  flUtrts  no  serious  apprrlicnsions  were  I'ntfrtiiincd  :  lint  after  tin?  arrival  of 
(M-ncral  Greene  in  Soiilli  Carolina,  they  proved  useful  auxiliaries  anil  trouhle- 
•OMie  enenucs. 

Lee  joined  Marion;  and,  on  the  ISth  of  April,  they  unexpectedly  presented 
themselves  before  Fort  Watson,  a  British  post  on  the  Santee.  It  wan  an  Indian 
mound,  risinj;  30  or  10  feet  al»(»ve  the  level  of  the  plain.  Neither  the  \;arrison 
nor  the  assailants  had  artillery;  but  in  a  few  days  tlu;  Americans  constructed  a 
work  on  an  luiusual  plan,  which  overlooked  the  fort,  and  from  the  top  uf  which 
the  rillemeii  fired  with  such  unerring  aim  that  not  a  man  of  the  garrison  couM 
show  himself  without  certain  destruction.  On  the  23d,  the  garrison,  consisting 
of  114  men,  capitulated. 

General  Greene  hoped  to  arrive  at  Camden  before  Rawdon  got  notice  of 
his  march  ;  but  the  iidiabitants  of  the  territories  through  which  he  passed  were 
disafl'ected  to  the  revolutionary  cause  ;  and  ho  was  obliged  to  forage  with  the 
same  precautions  as  if  he  had  been  in  an  enemy's  country ;  consequently  his 
progress  was  slower  than  he  had  expected  ;  Rawdon  had  received  early  infor- 
mation of  his  advance,  and  was  ready  to  receive  him  when  he  appeared  before 
Camden  on  the  20th  of  April. 

Camden  was  a  village  situated  on  a  plain,  covered  on  the  south  by  the  Wa- 
teree,  a  river  which  higher  up  is  called  the  Catawba  ;  and  below,  after  its  con- 
fluence with  the  Congaree  from  the  south,  assumes  the  name  of  the  Santee.  On 
the  east  of  it  flowed  a  rivulet  called  Pinetree  creek :  on  the  north  and  west 
sides  it  was  defended  by  a  strong  chain  of  redoubts,  six  in  number,  extend- 
ing from  the  river  to  the  creek.  General  Greene,  whoso  force  at  that  time 
amomUed  only  to  about  1,200  men,  felt  himself  unable  either  to  storm  or  com- 
pletely to  invest  the  place.  He  encamped  before  it  to  wait  for  the  arrival  of  the 
militia  whom  he  expected,  and  to  be  in  readiness  to  improve  any  favorable  op- 
portunity that  might  occur  ;  but  he  had  not  been  long  in  that  position  when  he 
was  informed  that  Colonel  Watson  was  marching  up  the  Santee  to  join  Raw- 
don. General  Greene  was  sensible  that,  if  that  reinforcement  arrived  safely  in 
Camden,  he  would  be  unable  to  maintain  his  ground  before  the  place.  He  re- 
solved to  intercept  Watson ;  which  could  be  accomplished  only  by  movements 
too  rapid  for  the  presence  of  baggage  and  artillery.  In  order  to  rid  himself  of 
these  incumbrances,  he  sent  them  under  the  care  of  Colonel  Carrington  and  some 
North  Carolina  militia  to  Lynuh's  creek,  nearly  20  miles  north  from  Cainden, 
and  moved  his  camp  to  the  east  of  that  place  on  the  road  to  Charleston.  But 
Watson,  having  been  interrupted  by  Marion  and  Lee,  did  not  arrive  so  soon  as 
was  expected  ;  and  Greene  found  it  difficult  to  procure  provisions  for  his  men  in 
his  new  position.  On  the  24th  he  sent  an  order  to  Carrington  to  join  him  with 
ihe  baggage  and  artillery  at  Hobkerk's  hill,  an  eminence  rather  more  than  a 
mile  north  from  Camden  on  the  road  to  the  Waxhaws.  On  the  same  day  he 
marched  hi.s  army  to  that  place  ;  where  the  led  of  his  encampment  was  covered 
by  a  swamp,  and  the  hill,  as  well  as  the  ground  between  it  and  Camden, 
abounded  with  trees  and  underwood. 

At  that  time  a  drummer  deserted  from  General  Greene,  and  informed  Rawdon 
uf  the  absence  of  his  militia,  artillery,  and  baggage.  That  officer  immediately 
resolved  to  seize  the  favorable  opportunity,  and  to  attack  the  American  general 
while  destitute  of  artillery,  and  unsupported  by  the  militia,  or  by  Marion  and 
Lee.  Accordingly,  on  the  morning  of  the  25th,  at  the  head  of  about  9U0  men, 
he  marched  from  Camden  to  attack  General  Greene's  camp  ;  and,  by  miking  a 
circuit,  and  keeping  close  tc  the  edge  of  the  awamp,  under  cover  of  the  woods 


-,"  ■  >"'t7JWy^''£iviV'v 


-.'■JirtiW*AS«^ivA**"f*^'-' 


oi"  TFiK  AMKinc.w  in;v()[,rri()\. 


in 


on  ilio  »c)iith\\r% 
inoiintr'd  follciwrr^ 
■  t'eel)le  ami  Jo-mI- 
ifter  till!  arrival  ot' 
iaric8  and  troiilile- 

pectedly  prcsentml 
It  was  an  Indian 
either  the  ^iirrison 
cans  constructed  u 
n  the  top  1)1'  whicli 
ihe  garrison  could 
j;arri8on,  consislinj^ 

ivdon  got  notice  of 
!h  he  passed  were 
to  torage  with  the 
;  consequently  his 
ceived  early  infer- 
\e  appeared  before 

1  south  by  the  Wa- 
slow,  after  its  con- 

of  the  Santee.  On 
the  north  and  west 
in  number,  extend- 

force  at  that  time 
jr  to  storm  or  com- 
or  the  arrival  of  the 
e  any  favorable  op- 
it  position  when  he 
antee  to  join  Raw- 
nt  arrived  safely  in 
the  place.  He  re- 
only  by  movements 
er  to  rid  himself  of 
arrington  and  some 
lorth  from  Camden, 
o  Charleston.  But 
t  arrive  so  soon  as 
sions  for  his  men  in 
jn  to  join  him  with 
rather  more  than  a 
Ik  the  same  day  he 
ipment  was  covered 
m  it  and  Camden, 

d  informed  Rawdon 
officer  immediately 
i  American  general 
or  by  Marion  and 
i  of  about  9U0  men, 
;  and,  by  miking  a 
cover  of  the  wnodv 


he  Uiiiii'd  ihe  left  llankofilie  AiiKTiniiis,  when-  thi-  lull  vv.is  most  .i( ci'ssiMe, 
Uiidi?*rov('reil.  While  the  Aini'rii'uiiH  ucri'  ((mkini;  ilicir  provisions,  .iinl  (Icn- 
enil  (ireeiie  at  hrcakfast.  the  alarm  was  iriven  hy  the  ontpoMts  firiiiK  on  ihr  Uril- 
isli  v.iii.  At  iliiii  critical  moment  the  militia  and  the  aiinon  .irrivfil,  :iiiil  (icii- 
oral  fJri'Piie  soon  had  his  army  in  order  of  liatile.  The  Virijinia  lirij;ai!c,  under 
General  Ilujier,  was  on  the  rijjht  ;  lli,  '.laryland  hrijjadc,  umlcr  CoIoik  I  Wil- 
liams.  was  on  the  left  ;  and  the  artillery  in  the  ceuire.  The  Norlli  Carolina 
militia,  under  Colonel  Reade,  formed  a  second  line  ;  Captain  Kirkwood,  with 
the  liijht  infantry,  wis  placed  in  trout,  to  support  the  advanced  parties,  aud  t(! 
retard  lilt!  progress  oi*  the  IJritisli  troops.  So  couliilcul  was  Ceneral  f!reeue  of 
victory  that  he  orderr(|  Lieutenant-Colonel  \Vasliiiii;ii'u,  with  his  cavalry,  to  turn 
lilt!  rii;lit  (laiik  of  the  British,  ami  to  chargi!  tliein  in  the  rear. 

Mtaiiwhilc  the  .Vmerican  atlvanced  parties  ami  Kirkwood's  infantry,  after  a 
brisk  tiro,  were  driven  in  ;  ami  Rawiloii  advanced  steadily  to  attack  the  main 
body  of  the  American  army.  The  63il  regiment,  supported  hy  the  volunteers 
of  Ireland,  formed  his  right;  the  king's  American  reginient,  supported  by  Cap- 
tain Robertson's  corps,  coinposeil  his  left  ;  the  New  York  volunteers  were  in 
the  centre.  The  North  Candina  volunteers  and  cavalry  were  in  the  rear,  and 
formed  a  reserve. 

.\fter  viewing  the  firitish  army,  and  observing  the  narrow  front  which  it  pre- 
senteil.  General  Greene,  sanguine  in  his  hopes  of  success,  ordered  the  second 
Maryland  regiment  to  attack  its  right  flank,  a  part  of  the  Virginia  troops  to  assail 
its  left,  and  the  rest  of  the  Virginia  ami  Maryland  coutinentals  to  march  down 
tlio  hill  and  oppose  it  in  front.  Thus  the  British  army  was  to  be  assaileil  in  front, 
on  Imth  flanks,  and  in  the  rear. 

Rawdon,  perceiving  General  Greene's  intention,  quickly  e.vtended  his  front, 
by  bringing  the  Irish  volunteers  forward  into  the  line.  The  lirini;  became  very 
close,  and  though  the  American  column  which  descoMled  the  hill  was  supported 
by  a  destructive  discharge  of  grape-shot  from  the  artillery,  yet  that  part  of  the 
continentals  was  soon  broken  by  the  British  troops,  and  fell  hack  in  confusion. 
Their  olFicers  were  unable  to  rally  them.  The  British  gained  the  suin'nitof  the 
hill ;  and  General  Greene,  surprised  and  mortified  at  the  sudden  and  unexpected 
reverse,  and  apprehensive  of  tlie  utter  discoinfhure  and  ruin  of  his  army,  ordered 
such  of  his  coutinentals  as  were  still  nnbrokeu,  and  his  militia,  who  had  not 
been  engaged,  to  retreat.  Washington,  who  iiad  gained  the  rear  of  the  British 
army,  and  made  a  number  of  prisoners,  seeing  the  infantry  ilriven  from  the  field, 
paroled  some  wounded  olficers  and  n'lired,  carrying  with  him  about  fifty  prison- 
ers, among  whom  were  the  royal  .surgeons 

In  the  confusitin  the  .\merican  cannon  were  run  down  the  hill,  and  concealed 
from  the  British  among  some  bushes  ;  but,  in  his  retreat,  Washington  observed 
and  drew  them  ofl".  The  pursuit  was  continued  nearly  three  miles,  but  was  ul- 
timately checked  by  a  furious  charge  made  by  Washington,  with  a  body  of 
cavalry.  The  retreat  from  the  field  was  conducted  in  good  order ;  and  the 
Americans  carried  ofT  all  their  baggage,  artillery,  and  some  prisoners.  They 
halted  for  the  night  at  Saumler's  creek,  four  miles  from  Hobkerk's  hill ;  and  next 
day  proceeded  to  Rugely's  mills,  twelve  miles  from  Camden.  After  the  en- 
gagi!infint  the  British  returned  to  Camden. 

Hobkerk's  hill  was  a  hard-fought  battle ;  and,  considering  the  numbers  en- 
gageil,  each  party  suffered  considerable  loss.  The  Americans  had  nearly  300 
men  killed,  wounded,  or  mis$ing  ;  and  among  them  were  some  valuable  officers. 
In  killeil,  wounded,  and  missing,  the  loss  of  the  British  amounted  to  258,  out  of 
about  900  who  were  on  the  fiold. 

The  battle  of  Hobkerk's  hill,  like  that  of  Guildford  courthouse,  was  of  no 
permanent  advantage  to  the  British.     For  Rawdon  was  in  no  conditiff  to  follow 


371 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


up  thij  advantage  which  he  had  gained:  General  Greene  retreated  no  fartliei 
than  Rugely's  mills  ;  and  the  presence  of  his  army,  together  with  the  activity 
and  courage  of  his  followers,  fomented  the  spirit  of  disaffection  to  the  British 
authority  which  had  manifested  itself  in  many  parts  of  the  southern  provinces, 
and  kept  Rawdon  in  a  very  uneasy  and  critical  situtuion.  Knowing  that  the 
British  troops  could  not  loiig  remain  in  Camden  without  receiving  fresh  supplies 
from  Charleston  or  the  coun'ry,  General  Greene  sent  a  reinforcement  to  Marion 
on  the  road  to  Nelson's  ferry  ;  and  on  the  3d  of  May  he  passed  the  NVateree 
with  the  remainder  of  his  army,  and  from  time  to  time  took  such  positions  as 
would  most  effectually  prevent  the  garrison  of  Camden  from  receiving  any  sup- 
plies. 

Colonel  Watson,  as  has  been  already  mentioned,  was  marching  with  upward 
of  400  men  to  reinforce  Rawdon.  Marion  and  Lee  having  obtained  information 
of  his  route,  resolved  to  obstruct  his  progress,  and  took  post  so  judiciously  at  the 
fords,  that  Watson  was  obliged  to  alter  his  course.  He  marched  down  the  north 
side  of  the  Santee,  crossed  it  near  its  mouth,  with  incredible  labor  advanced  up 
its  southern  i)ank,  recrossed  it  above  the  encampment  of  Marion  and  Lee,  but  a 
little  below  the  confluence  of  its  two  great  branches  the  Congaree  and  Wateree, 
and  arrived  safely  at  Camden  with  his  detachment  on  the  7th  of  May. 

This  reinforcement  gave  Rawdon  a  decided  superiority,  and  he  resolved  in- 
stantly to  avail  himself  of  it.  Accordingly,  next  night  he  marched  against  Gen- 
eril  Greene,  with  the  intention  of  attacking  him  in  his  camp ;  but  that  officer, 
apprized  of  the  reinforcement,  and  aware  that  it  would  immediately  be  employed 
against  him,  left  the  ground  which  he  had  lately  occupied,  passed  the  Wateree 
retired  to  a  greater  distance  from  Camden,  and  took  a  strong  position  beiiind 
Saunder's  creek.  Rawdon  followed  him,  and  drove  in  his  outposts  ;  but,  after 
attentively  viewing  his  camp  at  all  points,  he  was  convinced  that  it  could  not  be 
forced  without  a  loss  which  he  was  in  no  condition  to  sustain ;  therefore  he  re- 
turned to  Camden. 

Rawdon's  situation  had  now  become  extremely  critical.  Marion  and  Lee 
were  exerting  themselves  with  much  activity  and  success  against  the  chain  of 
British  posts,  and  the  communications  were  every  day  becoming  more  difficult. 
It  was  necessary  to  diminish  the  number  of  posts,  and  to  confine  them  within  a 
narrower  range.  Accordingly,  on  the  10th  of  May,  the  British  general  burned 
the  jail,  mills,  some  private  houses,  part  of  his  own  stores,  evacuated  Camden, 
and  retired,  by  Nelson's  ferry,  to  the  south  of  Santee,  leaving  behind  him  about 
thirty  of  his  own  sick  and  wounded,  and  as  many  Americans  who  had  fallen 
into  his  hands  in  the  battle  of  Hobkerk's  hill. 

After  the  evacuation  of  Camden,  several  of  the  British  posts  fell  in  rapid  suc- 
cession. On  the  1 1th  the  garrison  of  Orangeburgh,  consisting  of  seventy  militia 
and  twelve  regulars,  yielded  to  Sumpter.  Marion  and  Lee,  after  taking  Fort 
Watson,  crossed  the  Santee  and  marched  against  Fort  Motte,  situated  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Congaree,  a  little  above  its  confluence  with  the  Wateree  ;  they 
invested  it  on  the  8th  of  May,  and  carried  on  their  approaches  so  vigorously, 
that,  after  a  brave  defence,  the  garrison,  consisting  of  sixty-five  men,  capitulated 
on  the  I2th.  Georgetown,  a  post  on  the  Black  river,  was  rtauced  by  a  detach- 
ment of  Marion's  corps ;  and,  on  the  15th,  Fort  Grandby,  a  post  at  Friday's 
ferry,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Congaree,  thirty  miles  above  Fort  Motte,  gar- 
risoned by  350  men,  chiefly  militia,  surrendered  to  Lee. 

The  presence  of  General  Greene's  army,  the  activity  and  success  of  his  ad- 
herents, and  the  retreat  of  Rawdon,  made  the  smothered  disaffection  of  the  in- 
habitants burst  into  a  flame  ;  and  the  greater  part  of  the  province  openly  revolted 
from  the  British  authority.  In  that  critical  emergency,  Rawdon  re'reated  tc 
Monk's  corner,  a  position  which  enabled  him  to  cover  those  districts  from  which 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  KEVOLUTIOX. 


373 


retreated  no  fartliei 
jr  with  the  activity 
tion  to  the  British 
southern  provinces, 
Knowing  that  the 
giving  fresh  suppUes 
rorcement  to  Marion 
assed  the  Wateree 
L  such  positions  as 
1  receiving  any  sup- 

irching  with  upward 
obtained  information 
so  judiciously  at  the 
ched  down  the  north 
e  labor  advanced  up 
arion  and  Lee,  but  a 
igaree  and  Wateree, 
th  of  May. 
and  he  resolved  in- 
arched against  Gen- 
np ;  but  that  officer, 
3diately  be  employed 
passed  the  Wateree 
Qng  position  beiiind 

outposts ;  but,  after 
1  that  it  could  not  be 
in ;  therefore  he  re- 
Marion  and  Lee 
igainst  the  chain  oi 
)ming  more  difficult, 
onfine  them  within  a 
itish  general  burned 

evacuated  Camden, 
ng  behind  him  about 
ans  who  had  fallen 

>sts  fell  in  rapid  sue- 
;ing  of  seventy  militia 
se,  after  taking  Fort 
otte,  situated  on  the 
h  the  Wateree  ;  they 
iches  so  vigorously, 
five  men,  capitulated 
rtauced  by  a  detach- 
,  a  post  at  Friday's 
ve  Fort  Motte,  gar- 
id  success  of  his  ad- 
isaffection  of  the  iu- 
ivince  openly  revolted 
Rawdon  re'reated  tc 
i  districts  from  which 


Charleston  drew  its  more  immediate  supplifs.  (icinTiil  (Jreene,  having  sue- 
leedeil  ia  reducing  so  many  of  the  British  posts,  and  in  forcing  Rawdoti  to  re- 
lire  to  Monk's  corner,  instead  of  following  his  lordship,  turned  his  aiteriticm 
toward  the  western  parts  of  the  province,  and  to  the  upper  posts  in  Georgia. 
He  ordered  Colonel  Pickens  to  assemble  the  militia  of  Nineiy-Si.x ;  and,  on  the 
day  after  the  surrender  of  Fort  Grandby,  sent  Lee  to  join  him 

On  the  reduction  of  Georgia  and  South  Carolina  by  the  British  in  1780,  many 
of  the  most  determined  friends  of  congress  in  the  upper  parts  of  those  states  re- 
treated across  the  mountains  or  fled  into  North  Carolina  ;  but  the  greater  nwm- 
ber,  despairing  of  the  popular  cause,  submitted  to  the  conquerors,  flattering  them- 
selves with  the  hope  of  being  allowed  to  live  in  peace  and  in  the  secure  enjoy- 
ment of  their  property.  But  when  these  men,  accustomed  to  live  on  their  lands 
in  a  state  of  rude  independence,  found  themselves  treated  with  overbearing  in- 
solence, plundered  with  unsparing  rapacity,  and  compelled  to  take  up  arms 
against  their  countrymen,  all  their  former  predilections  ri,;urned,  and  a  spirit  of 
biiter  hostility  to  the  royal  authority  was  engendered. 

When  the  British  army,  leaving  only  feeble  garrisons  behind,  marched  to  the 
northward  in  the  career  of  victory  and  conquest,  this  spirit  soon  manifested  it- 
self. Colonel  Clarke  with  some  adherents  marched  against  the  British  garrison 
at  Augusta  But  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cruger,  who  commanded  at  Ninety-Six, 
proceeded  to  the  relief  of  Colonel  Brown,  the  commandant  of  Augusta.  Clarke 
was  obliged  to  flee,  and  that  premature  insurrection  was  suppressed.  Such  of 
Clarke's  adherents  as  fell  into  the  hands  of  Colonel  Brown  were  treated  with 
the  utmost  rigor.  But  the  spirit  of  opposition  to  the  royal  authority,  though 
damped,  was  not  extinguished :  armed  parties,  commonly  acting  without  any 
concert,  daily  multiplied,  and  disturbed  the  peace  of  the  British  garrisons.  Cap- 
tain M'Koy,  with  a  few  daring  adventurers,  infested  the  banks  of  the  Savannah, 
and  took  some  boats  going  up  the  river  with  supplies  to  Augusta :  he  defeated 
a  party  sent  against  him  by  Colonel  Brown  ;  but,  though  joined  by  Colonel 
Harden  and  his  band,  he  was  afterward  defeated  by  Brown,  and  his  followers 
for  a  while  dispersed. 

These  desultory  encounters  were  now  succeeded  by  more  regular  and  steady 
operations.  Colonel  Clarke,  with  indefatigable  zeal,  had  again  returned  to  his 
native  province  ;  and  a  number  of  militia,  under  General  Pickens,  assembled  in 
the  vicinity  of  Augusta.  On  the  fall  of  Fort  Granby,  Colonel  Lee  without  delay 
marched  toward  Pickens's  camp,  and  in  four  days  effected  a  junction  with  him. 
Their  first  attempt  was  against  Fort  Golphin  or  Dreadnought,  at  Silver  bluff",  on 
the  Carolina  side  of  the  river  Savannah,  which  was  garrisoned  by  seventy  men  : 
on  the  Ist  of  May  it  surrendered  to  a  detachment  of  Lee's  legion  under  Captain 
Rudolph. 

Pickens  and  Lee  now  turned  their  united  arms  against  Fort  Cornwallis  at 
Augusta:  they  carried  on  their  approaches  against  the  place  with  skill  and 
activity  ;  but  Colonel  Brown  made  a  most  obstinate  defence.  In  rhe  course  of 
the  siege  several  batteries  were  raised  which  overlooked  the  for  ,  and  two  of 
them  were  within  thirty  yards  of  the  parapet ;  from  these  the  American  rifle- 
men fired  with  such  deadly  aim,  that  every  man  v.'ho  showed  himself  was  in- 
stantly shot.  The  garrison  almost  buried  themselves  under  ground  ;  but  their 
valor  was  unavailing,  and  on  the  5th  of  June  they,  to  the  number  of  300  men, 
«urrendcred  by  capitulation.  The  Americans  had  about  forty  men  killed  or 
wounded  in  the  course  of  the  siege. 

The  British  officers  at  Augusta,  by  their  severities,  had  rendered  themselves 
singularly  obnoxious  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  surrounding  country  ;  and  after  the 
surrender,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Grierson  was  shot  dead  by  an  unknown  marksman, 
vho  escaped  detection,  although  100  guineas  of  reward  were  oflTered  for  trie 


1     '    u 
\    I 


•    i 


<    ! 
1    i  J 


J 


H7r. 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


discovery  of  the  murderer.  It  was  with  tlitricuhy  that  Colonel  Brown  was  saved 
from  a  similar  fate:  he  had  lately  hanged  thirteen  American  prisoners,  and 
delivered  up  some  to  the  Indians,  who  put  them  to  death  with  all  those  toriiiros 
which  Indian  ingenuity  has  devised,  and  which  savage  ferocity  only  can 
inflict.  To  save  him  from  the  vengi  ance  of  the  enraged  colonists,  his  coii(]iitr- 
ors  escorted  him  safely  to  Savannah.  At  Silver  Blufl",  .Mrs.  M'Koy  obtained 
permission  to  speak  with  him,  and  addressed  him  in  the  following  manner. — 
"  (Colonel  Brown,  in  the  late  day  of  your  prosperity  I  visited  your  camp,  and  on 
my  knees  begged  the  life  of  my  son  ;  but  you  were  deaf  to  my  supplications. 
You  hanged  him,  though  only  a  beardless  youth,  before  my  face.  These  eyes 
have  seen  him  scalped  i)y  the  savages  under  your  immediate  command,  and  for 
no  better  reason  than  because  his  name  was  M'Koy.  As  you  are  now  a  pris- 
oner to  the  leaders  of  my  country,  for  the  present  I  lay  aside  all  thoughts  of 
revenge ;  but  when  you  resume  your  sword,  I  will  go  500  miles  to  demand  sat- 
isfaction at  the  point  of  it  for  the  murder  of  my  son."  If  Brown  was  a  man  of 
any  sensibility,  he  must  have  felt  acutely  at  this  singular  instdt. 

While  those  operations  were  going  on  in  Georgia,  General  Greene  with  his 
main  army  marched  against  the  British  post  at  Ninety-Six,  in  South  Carolina. 
Ninety-Six  (so  named  because  it  is  ninety-six  nvles  from  the  town  of  Kecown, 
in  the  territory  of  the  Cherokees),  at  the  time  waen  it  came  into  the  possession 
of  the  British  troops  in  1780,  like  other  villages  on  the  frontiers  of  the  colonies, 
was  surrounded  by  a  palisade  to  defend  it  against  any  sudden  irruption  of  the  In- 
dians. But  the  British  garrison  had  added  some  new  works,  the  most  important 
of  which  was  on  the  right  of  the  village,  and,  from  its  form,  was  called  The 
Star.  It  consisted  of  sixteen  salient  and  re-entering  angles,  with  a  dry  ditch  and 
abatis.  On  the  left  of  the  place  was  a  valley  through  which  flowed  a  rivulet 
that  supplied  the  village  with  water ;  on  the  one  side  the  valley  was  commanded 
by  the  prison,  which  was  converted  into  a  blockhouse,  and  on  the  other  by  a 
stockade  fort  in  which  a  bh)ckhouse  had  been  erected.  The  garrison  cons'sted 
of  550  men,  350  of  whom  were  regulars,  coinmanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Cruger.     There  were  only  three  pieces  of  artillery  in  the  place. 

When  Lord  Rawdon  found  himself  under  the  necessity  of  evacuating  Camden 
and  of  retiring  to  Monk's  (Corner,  he  was  fully  sensible  of  the  danger  to  which 
the  post  of  Ninety-Six  was  exposed.  He  seiU  several  messengers  with  instruc- 
tions to  Colonel  Cruger  to  abandon  the  post,  retire  to  Augusta,  unite  his  force 
to  that  of  Colonel  Brown,  and  afterward  act  according  to  his  own  discretion. 
Lest  his  messengers  should  be  intercepted,  he  desired  Colonel  Balfour,  com- 
mandant of  Charleston,  to  transmit  similar  instructions.  But  the  disaffection  of 
the  province  to  the  British  interest  had  now  become  so  strong,  and  the  roads 
leading  to  Ninety-Six  were  so  effectually  guarded,  that  not  one  of  those  messen- 
gers reached  that  place  :  hence  Colonel  Cruger  remained  without  instructions, 
and  in  complete  ignorance  of  the  state  of  the  British  aritiy  in  the  province.  His 
being  left  in  ignorance  he  felt  as  an  ominous  circumstance  :  he  was  well 
aware  of  the  hostility  of  the  people,  and  not  without  apprehensions  of  a  visi. 
from  the  American  ai-my.  In  liii'se  circumstances  he  made  every  preparation 
for  defending  his  post  with  vigor :  officers  and  men  diligently  labored  on  the 
works,  and  by  their  united  exertions  a  bank  of  earth,  parapet  high,  was  thrown 
up  round  the  town,  and  strengthened  by  an  abatis ;  blockhouses  were  erected, 
traverses  made  covered,  communications  constructed,  and  the  garrison  prepared 
for  a  vigonms  defence. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  after  the  works  were  finished,  the  American  army  under 
General  Greene,  consisting  of  nearly  1,000  men,  appeared,  and  encamped  in  a 
wood  within  cannon-shot  of  the  place.  In  the  course  of  the  ensuing  night.  Gen- 
eral Greene  erected  two  works  within  seventy  paces  of  the  fortifications ;  bu 


uF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


377 


Urovvn  was  saved 
an  prisoners,  uiid 
1  all  tliosf  toriiiros 
ferocity  onlv  cnn 
nists,  his  coiii]iitr- 
s.  M'Koy  oUlaineil 
lowing  manner . — 
your  camp,  anil  on 
>  my  supplications, 
face.  'J'hese  eyes 
command,  and  for 
ou  are  now  a  pris> 
le  all  thoughts  of 
les  to  demand  sal- 
Liwn  was  a  man  of 
It. 

1  Greene  with  liis 
in  South  Carolina, 
town  of  KecowLt. 
iilo  the  possession 
;r8  of  the  colonies, 
irruption  of  the  In- 
the  most  important 
1,  was  called  The 
?ith  a  dry  ditch  and 
h  flowed  a  rivulet 
sy  was  commanded 

on  the  other  by  a 

garrison  cons' sted 
Lieutenant-Colonel 
ce. 

jvacuatiiig  Camden 
le  dang;er  to  which 
iigers  with  instruc- 
ista,  unite  his  force 
is  own  discretion, 
lonel  Balfour,  com- 

the  disaffection  of 
rong,  and  the  roads 
le  of  those  messen- 
•ithout  instructions, 
the  province.  His 
ice  :  lie  was  well 
'hensions  of  a  visi. 

every  preparation 
tly  labored  on  the 
.  high,  was  thrown 
luses  were  erected, 
3  garrison  prepared 

lerican  army  under 
and  encamped  in  a 
jnsuing  night,  Gen- 
I  fortifications ;  bu 


■boui  «  ven  next  forenoon  a  party,  supported  by  a  brisk  cannonade  from  the 
three  pieces  of  artillery  which  had  been  mounted  on  the  Star,  and  by  a  close  dis- 
charge cf  musketry  from  the  parapet,  sallied  out,  killed  such  of  the  Americans 
as  fell  in  their  way,  demolished  their  works,  and  carried  off"  their  intrenching 
tools.  General  Greene  put  his  army  in  motion  to  support  his  men  in  the 
trenches  ;  but  so  expeditiously  was  the  enterprise  performed,  that  the  sallying 
party  returned  within  the  works  with  little  loss. 

On  tlie  night  of  the  23d,  General  Greene  again  broke  ground,  but  at  the  mor« 
cautious  distance  of  400  yards.  Though  interrupted  by  frequent  sallies,  yet  th« 
Americans  labored  so  indefaligably  that  their  second  parallel  was  finished  bj 
tiie  3d  of  June.  On  that  day  they  summoned  the  garrison  ;  but.  on  being  an 
swered  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cruger  would  defend  his  post  to  the  last  extrem 
itv,  they  carried  on  their  approaches  with  unabated  vigor.  The  batteries  of  th. 
second  parallel  were  opened,  and  a  heavy  cross-fire  enfiladed  several  of  the 
work-r.  They  pushed  on  a  sap  against  the  Star,  and  advanced  their  batteries, 
one  of  which,  constructed  of  gabions,  was  erected  within  thirty-five  yards  of  the 
abatis,  and  raised  forty  feet  high,  so  as  to  overlook  the  works  of  the  garrison. 
RiHernen,  posted  on  the  top  of  it,  did  considerable  execution  ;  and  their  fire 
proved  so  destructive  to  the  men  who  worked  the  artillery  on  the  Star,  that  the 
guns  were  abandoned  during  the  day,  and  used  only  in  the  night. 

Augusta,  as  already  mentioned,  capitulated  on  the  5th  of  June;  and  while 
Colonel  Brown  was  sent  olT  under  an  escort  to  Savannah,  Colonel  Lee,  with  the 
rest  of  his  prisoners,  about  300  in  number,  proceeded  to  join  General  Greene  at 
Ninety-Six.  He  arrived  there  on  the  8th  of  June ;  and,  in  the  hope  of  making 
some  impression  on  the  garrison  by  the  appearance  of  the  prisoners,  marched 
them  in  full  view  of  the  British  works  in  all  the  parade  of  military  triumph. 
Strengthened  by  this  reinforcement.  General  Greene,  who  hitherto  had  carried 
on  his  approaches  against  the  Star  solely,  commenced  operations,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Colonel  Lee,  against  the  works  on  the  left  of  the  town  also,  which 
commanded  the  water.  The  approaches  were  made  with  vigor,  and  the  defence 
conducted  with  skill  and  persevering  valor.  But  the  siege  was  carried  on  in 
such  a  manner,  that  every  effort  of  the  besieged  must  soon  have  been  overpow- 
ered, and  the  garrison  compelled  to  surrender.  From  this  mortification  they 
were  oaved  by  the  approach  of  Rawdon.  The  smallness  of  the  force  under  his 
command,  and  the  disafTection  of  the  province,  had  compelled  him  for  some  time 
to  remain  near  Charleston  for  the  security  of  that  important  post;  but  on  the  3d 
of  Jime  he  received  a  seasonable  reinforcement  from  Britain,  consisting  of  the 
3d,  19th,  and  30th  regiments,  a  detachment  from  the  guards,  and  a  considerable 
number  of  recruits,  the  whole  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gould 
This  accession  to  his  strength  enabled  him  once  more  to  overrun  the  province. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  Rawdon  left  Charleston  with  part  of  the  reinforcements, 
and.  being  joined  by  the  troops  at  .Monk's  Corner,  marched  to  the  relief  of  Nine- 
ty-Six at  the  head  of  about  2,000  men.  In  their  rapid  progress  over  the  whole 
extent  of  South  Carolina,  through  a  wild  country,  and  under  the  beams  of  a 
scorching  sun,  the  sufferings  of  his  troops  were  severe  ;  but  they  advanced  with 
celerity  to  the  assistance  of  their  brave  companions  in  arms.  On  the  11th  of 
June,  General  Greene  received  notice  of  Rawdon's  march,  and  immediately 
sent  orders  to  Sumpter  to  assemble  his  militia,  keep  in  front  of  the  British  army, 
and  make  every  efTort  to  retard  its  progress.  To  enable  him  the  more  efiect?:- 
ally  to  accomplish  this  purpose,  all  the  cavalry  were  detached  to  his  assistan-^. 
But  Rawdon  passed  Sumpter  a  little  below  the  junction  of  the  Saluda  and  Broad 
rivers,  and  that  officer  was  never  able  to  regain  his  front. 

Meanwhile  the  siege  was  vigorously  pressed,  in  order  to  force  a  capitulation 
before  the  arrival  of  Rawdon :  but  the  courage  and  obstinacy  of  the  garrison 


li4 

'0 


^ 


'^Sft- 


3  A' 


wt  %, 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


t^iAhl  to  the  activity  of  the  assailants.  Sallies  were  occasionally  made, 
and  ti\\.iy  aittwck  was  met  with  intrepidity.  The  garrison  was  hard  pressed,  and 
iow4id  the  v'loss  of  the  siege  afflicted  by  watit  of  water  ;  for  every  person  who, 
durij<j;  the  day,  ventured  to  approach  the  rivulet,  was  instantly  shot ;  and  the 
only  resource  in  order  to  procure  a  scanty  supply  was  to  send  nuked  negroes  to 
the  stream  during  the  night,  when  their  bodies  could  not  be  distinguished  from 
the  trees  around  them. 

On  the  side  of  the  Star,  the  besiegers  had  formed  their  third  parallel,  and 
carried  a  mine  and  two  trenches  within  a  few  feet  of  the  ditch.  Having  no 
heavy  cannon,  they  mounted  thoir  field-pieces  on  batteries  which  o\  erlooked  the 
fort  at  the  distance  of  only  140  yards ;  and  riflemen  were  stationed  ju  an  eleva 
ted  place  for  the  protection  of  the  workmen,  so  that  not  a  man  could  show  him- 
self on  the  works  with  impunity.  The  garrison  was  nearly  reduced  to  extremi- 
ties, and  in  a  few  days  must  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  surrendc  ring. 
But  General  Greene  knew  that  Rawdon  was  fast  approaching  with  a  superior 
force,  and  that,  unless  he  succeeded  against  the  place,  he  must  soon  retroat. 
Unwilling  to  abandon  a  prize  almost  within  his  grasp,  he,  on  the  18th  of  June, 
made  a  furious  assault  on  the  place,  and  was  supported  by  a  heavy  cannon- 
ade from  the  batteries,  and  a  close  discharge  of  musketry  from  the  lines.  On 
the  left  of  the  village  the  assailants  were  successful,  and  made  a  lodgement  in 
the  works ;  but  on  the  right,  after  a  desperate  conflict  of  nearly  an  hour,  Gen- 
eral Greene  found  it  necessary  to  call  off  his  men,  who  retreated  before  a  fierce 
sally  of  the  besieged.  He  now  sent  oflf  his  heavy  baggage,  and  next  day  re- 
treated. On  the  20th  he  crossed  the  Saluda,  and  encamped  on  Little  river. 
During  the  siege  he  lost  155  men :  the  garrison  had  eighty-five  killed  or 
wounded. 

On  the  morning  of  the  21st,  Rawdon  arrived  at  Ninety-Six,  and  in  the  even- 
ing of  the  same  day  set  out  in  pursuit  of  General  Greene  ;  but  his  indefatigable 
adversary,  having  sent  off  his  sick  and  wounded,  retreated  before  him  on  the 
road  to  Charlotte,  in  Virginia,  dismantling  the  corn-mills  by  the  way,  in  order  to 
render  the  subsistence  of  his  pursuers  more  difficult.  Rawdon  advanced  to 
the  Enoree,  when,  despairing  of  overtaking  the  Americans,  he  returned  to  Nine- 
ty-Six. General  Greene's  retreat  ceased  with  the  pursuit.  Rawdon  found 
it  necessary  to  evacuate  Ninety-Six,  and  contract  his  posts  ;  and,  after  remain- 
ing only  two  days  at  Ninety-Six,  began  his  march  to  the  Congaree,  with  800 
infantry  and  600  cavalry,  expecting  to  be  there  joined  by  a  strong  reinforce- 
ment, which  had  been  ordered  from  Charleston.  That  reinforcement  had  not  set 
out  so  early  as  was  intended,  and  the  letter  informing  Rawdon  of  the  delay  had 
been  intercepted. 

The  British  commander  probably  believed  that  General  Greene  was  driven 
out  of  South  Carolina  ;  but  that  ofiicer  had  only  retreated  behind  Broad  river ; 
and  no  sooner  did  he  hear  of  the  divisions  of  the  British  forces,  than  he  returned 
toward  the  Congaree.  Soon  after  Rawdon's  arrival  on  the  last-named  river,  one 
of  his  foraging  parties  was  surprised  by  Lee's  legion  within  a  mile  of  the  Brit- 
ish camp,  and  about  forty  cavalry  made  prisoners.  The  appearance  of  the 
American  light  troops  in  that  part  of  the  country  convinced  his  lordship  that  Gen- 
eral Greene  was  not  far  oiT.  He  retreated  toward  Oraiigeburgh,  where  he  ar- 
rived in  safety  after  some  interruption  from  the  American  light  troops,  and  where 
he  was  joined  by  the  expected  reinforcements  from  Charleston,  under  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Stuart.  That  reinforcement  Marion  endeavored  to  interrupt,  but 
failed  in  his  main  purpose,  and  gained  only  a  frw  wagons. 

On  the  Congaree  General  Greene  was  joined  by  Marion  and  Sumpter  with 
1,000  men;  and  on  the  11th  of  July  marched  toward  Orangeburgh,  with  the 
intention  of  attacking  the  British  army  in  its  camp:  but  on  arriving  there  next 


OF  THE  AMERICAN   REVOLUTION. 


379 


occa.sionally  made, 
8  hard  pressed,  and 
■  every  person  who, 
antly  shot ;  and  the 
id  nuked  negroes  to 

distinguished  from 

third  parallel,  and 

ditch.  Having  no 
hich  o\  erlooked  the 
ktioned  jn  ar  eleva 
in  could  show  hiin- 
reduced  to  extremi- 
ty of  8urrend(  ring, 
fig  with  a  superior 

must  soon  retroat. 

the  18th  of  June, 
y  a  heavy  cannon- 
rom  the  lines.  On 
de  a  lodgement  in 
iarly  an  hour,  Gen- 
ated  before  a  fierce 
I,  and  next  day  re- 
)ed  on  Little  river, 
ghty-five  killed  or 

X,  and  in  the  even- 
ut  his  indefatigable 
before  him  on  the 
he  way,  in  order  to 
iwdon  advanced  to 
B  returned  to  Nine- 
t.  Rawdon  found 
and,  after  remain- 
/ongaree,  with  800 
a  strong  reinforce- 
cement  had  not  set 
n  of  the  delay  had 

Greene  was  driven 
ihind  Broad  river ; 
is,  than  he  returned 
ist-named  river,  one 
I  mile  of  the  Brit- 
appearance  of  the 
i  lordship  that  Gen- 
irgh,  whore  he  ar- 
t  troops,  and  where 
ton,  under  Lieuten- 
d  to  interrupt,  but 

and  Sumpter  with 
ngeburgh,  with  the 
arriving  there  nex( 


day,  found  it  so  stronplv  posted  that  he  did  r.ot  venture  to  make  any  attempt  upon 
it.  \\hi\e  there,  General  Greene  was  informed  that  Ninety-.Six  was  evacuated, 
and  thiit  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cniger  was  on  his  inarch  to  Orangcburgh  ;  but  the 
river,  which  for  thirty  miles  was  passable  at  no  point  except  that  commanded 
hy  Rawdon's  position,  presented  an  insuperable  barrier  to  any  attempt  on  Cni- 
ger. General  Greene,  therefore  retreated  over  the  Congaree,  and  marched  to 
the  high  hills  of  Santee.  In  order,  however,  to  alarm  Rawdon  for  his  lower 
posts,  he,  on  the  13th,  when  leaving  the  vicinity  of  Orangeburgh,  detached 
Siimpter,  Marion,  and  Lee,  toward  Monk's  Corner  and  Dorchester.  Those  olfi- 
cers  proceeded  by  diflerent  routes,  took  a  number  of  wagons  with  provisions  and 
baggage,  and  some  prisoners  ;  but,  after  hard  fighting,  the  main  body  of  the 
British  effected  their  retreat. 

The  weather  now  became  extremely  warm  ;  and  in  that  climate  the  intense 
heat  of  summer  as  effectually  stops  military  operations  as  the  rigor  of  winter  in 
higher  latitudes.  In  that  interval  of  inaction,  Rawdon  availed  himself  of  leave 
of  absence,  obtained  some  time  before  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  embarked 
for  Europe.  On  his  departure,  the  command  of  the  troops  at  Orangeburgh  de- 
volved on  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart. 

General  Greene  reached  the  high  hills  of  Santee  on  the  16th  of  July,  and  re- 
mained there  till  the  22d  of  August.  For  six  months  his  army  had  been  inces- 
santly employed  in  marching  and  fighting  ;  and  though  he  had  gained  no  victo- 
ry, and  had  been  repulsed  with  slaughter  from  one  siege,  yet  he  had  not  only 
kept  the  field,  but  had  compelled  the  British  to  abandon  all  their  posts  in  the 
interior  parts  of  the  country.  The  activity,  prudence,  courage,  and  perseverance, 
of  General  Greene  had  been  of  incalculable  value  to  the  cause  in  which  he  was 
engaged. 

After  the  retreat  of  General  Greene,  Colonel  Stuart  proceeded  with  the  Brit 
ish  army  to  the  Congaree,  and  encamped  near  its  confluence  with  the  Wateree. 
General  Greene,  while  reposing  on  the  high  hills  of  Santee,  was  reinforced  by 
a  brigade  of  continental  troops  from  North  Carolina,  so  that  his  army  amounted 
to  2,500  men.  He  was  still  eagerly  intent  on  his  purpose  of  wresting  the  south* 
em  provinces  from  the  hands  of  the  British ;  and  accordingly,  on  the  22d  of 
August,  as  soon  as  the  intense  heat  Began  to  abate,  he  left  the  hills  of  Santee, 
and  proceeded  toward  Colonel  Stuart's  encampment.  In  a  straight  line,  the  two 
armies  were  only  fiileen  miles  from  each  other ;  but  two  large  rivers  intervened, 
which  could  not  be  easily  passed  without  a  circuit  of  seventy  miles.  Colonel 
Stuart  felt  himself  in  security,  and  his  parties  spread  widely  over  the  country  in 
order  to  collect  provisions.  Marion  and  Washington  were  detached  to  check 
them,  and  several  smart  skirmishes  ensued. 

On  leaving  the  high  hills  of  Santee,  General  Greene  marched  up  the  Wateree 
to  the  vicinity  of  Camden,  where  he  crossed  the  river,  and  proceeded  to  Friday's 
ferry  on  the  Congaree,  where  he  was  joined  by  General  Pickens  and  his  mili- 
tia, and  the  state  troops  of  South  Carolina,  commanded  by  Colonel  Henderson. 
On,  the  approach  of  the  American  army.  Colonel  Stuart  retired  about  forty  miles, 
and  took  a  position  at  Eutaw  springs,  sixty  miles  north  from  Charleston,  where 
he  was  reinforced  by  a  detachment  which  had  escorted  a  convoy  of  provisions 
to  that  place.  General  Greene  followed  him,  by  easy  marches,  in  order  to  give 
Marion  time  to  join  him.  On  the  7th  of  September,  about  seven  miles  from  Eu- 
taw springs,  that  officer,  with  his  detachment,  arrived  in  camp  ;  and  it  was  re- 
solved to  attack  the  British  army  next  day. 

At  four  in  the  m  srning  of  the  8th  of  September,  the  American  army  advanced 
toward  the  British  encampment  in  the  following  order :  the  South  and  North 
Carolina  militia,  commanded  by  Generals  Pickens  and  Marion,  formed  the  first 
line  ;  the  second  was  composed  cf  continental  troops  ;  the  North  Carolina  brig- 


l'<i 


380 


THE  PICTORIAL  HIS'lORY 


ade,  under  GeiiernI  Sumner,  was  on  the  right ;  that  of  Virginia,  coinmaride  il  hy 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell,  was  in  the  centre;  and  that  of  Maryland,  ujJer 
Colonel  Williams,  was  on  the  left.  The  legion  of  Lee  covered  the  right  fliiik, 
and  the  state  troops  of  South  Carolina,  imder  Colonel  Henderson,  covereil  :he 
left ;  Washington's  cavalry  and  Kirkwood's  infantry  formed  the  reserve.  Two 
three-pounders  were  attached  to  the  first  line,  and  two  six-pounders  to  the  sec- 
•ind.  The  legion  and  state  troops  marched  in  front,  with  orders  to  fall  back  on 
the  fiauks  when  the  British  line  was  formed. 

At  six  in  the  morning,  two  deserters  from  the  American  army  entered  the 
British  camp,  and  informed  Colonel  Stuart  of  General  Greene's  approach  ;  but 
littie  credit  was  given  to  their  report.  At  that  time  a  British  party  was  out  in 
quest  of  vegetables,  on  the  road  by  which  the  Americans  were  pdvancing.  About 
four  miles  from  the  camp  at  Eulaw,  that  party  was  attacked  by  the  Americai, 
van,  and  driven  in  with  loss.  Their  return  convinced  Colonel  Stuart  of  the  ap- 
proach of  the  Americans,  and  the  British  army  was  soon  drawn  up  obliquely 
across  the  road  on  the  height  near  the  Eutaw  springs.  Major  Marjoribauks, 
with  the  flank  battalion,  was  on  the  right  of  the  road,  his  right  being  covered  by 
a  rivulet,  while  his  left  was  covered  by  a  high,  thick  hedge.  Two  pieces  of 
artillery,  supported  by  a  party  of  infantry,  occupied  the  road  ;  the  rest  of  the 
British  line  extended  in  an  oblique  direction  on  the  left  of  the  road. 

The  firing  began  between  two  and  three  miles  from  the  British  camp.  The 
British  light  parties  were  driven  in  on  their  main  body  ;  and  the  first  line  of  the 
Americans  attacked  with  great  impetuosity.  The  militia  displayed  an  unusual 
degree  of  firmness,  but  were  obliged  slowly  to  give  way.  The  North  Carolina 
troops  advanced  to  support  them  with  much  intrepidity.  Colonels  Williams  and 
Campbell  were  ordered  to  charge  with  the  bayonet ;  and  part  of  the  British 
troops,  unable  to  withstand  the  shock,  gave  way  and  fled  ;  but  the  veterans,  who 
had  been  inured  to  hard  service,  met  the  advancing  bayonet  with  the  same 
weapon.  For  a  short  time  the  conflicting  ranks  were  intermingled,  and  the  offi- 
cers lought  hand  to  hand.  At  that  critical  moment,  Lee,  who  had  turned  the 
left  flai.k  of  the  British,  charged  them  in  the  rear.  They  were  broken  and 
driven  o.T  the  field,  and  their  artillery  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans,  who 
eagerly  pressed  on  their  retreating  adversaries. 

At  that  juncture,  the  British  commander  ordered  Major  Sheridan,  with  a  de- 
tachment, lo  take  post  in  a  large  three-story  brick  house,  which  was  in  the  rear 
of  the  army  on  the  right,  while  another  occupied  an  adjoining  palisaded  garden, 
and  some  close  shrubbery  ground.  The  Americans  made  the  most  desperate 
efllbrts  to  dislodge  them  from  their  posts ;  but  every  attack  was  unsuccessful. 
Four  pieces  of  artillery  were  brought  to  bear  on  the  house,  but  made  no  impres- 
sion on  its  solid  walls.  A  close  and  destructive  fire  was  kept  up  from  the  doors 
and  windows  of  the  house,  as  well  as  from  the  strong  adjoining  ground.  Almost 
all  the  artillerymen  were  killed  or  wounded ;  and  the  cannon  had  been  pushed 
80  near  the  house  that  they  could  not  be  brought  off",  but  were  left  behind. 
Colonel  Washington  attempted  to  turn  the  right  flank  of  the  British,  and  charge 
them  in  the  rear ;  but  his  horse  was  shot  under  him,  and  he  was  wounded  and 
made  prisoner.  After  every  attempt  to  dislodge  the  British  from  their  strong 
position  had  failed.  General  Greene  drew  ofl"  his  men  ;  and,  collecting  his 
wounded,  retired  with  his  prisoners  to  the  groimd  which  he  had  left  in 
morning,  there  being  no  water  nearer  to  refresh  his  fainting  troops. 

This  obstinate  and  sanguinary  conflict  lasted  almost  four  hours.  We  may 
estimate  each  of  the  armies  at  between  2,000  and  3,000  men  ;  and,  in  propor- 
tion to  the  number  of  combatants,  the  loss  on  both  sides  was  great.  The  Ameri- 
cans lost  555  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  of  whom  137  were  left  dead  on 
the  field  ;  60  commissioned  officers  were  among  the  suflerers,  of  whom  17  were 


r 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 


38\ 


[inia,  coinmarule  il  hy 
of  Maryland,  u  jJer 
'ered  the  right  fliiik, 
nderson,  covered  :he 
the  reserve.  Two 
pounders  to  the  sec* 
rders  to  fall  back  on 

an  army  entered  the 
ene's  approach  ;  but 
ish  party  was  out  in 
e  pdvancing.  About 
i  by  the  Americai, 
»el  Stuart  of  the  ap- 
Jrawn  up  obliquely 
dajor  Marjoribaiiks, 
ht  being  covered  by 
e.  Two  pieces  of 
lad  ;  the  rest  of  the 
le  road. 

British  camp.  The 
1  the  first  line  of  the 
splayed  an  unusual 
The  North  Carolina 
)lonels  Williams  and 
part  of  the  British 
lUf  the  veterans,  who 
•net  with  the  same 
iiingled,  and  the  offi- 
rho  had  turned  the 
Y  were  broken  and 
the  Americans,  who 

hcridan,  with  a  de- 
dich  was  in  the  rear 
ig  palisaded  garden, 
the  most  desperate 
L  was  unsuccessful. 
3ut  made  no  impres- 
ipt  up  from  the  doors 
ng  ground.  Almost 
n  had  been  pushed 
t  were  left  behind. 

British,  and  charge 
3  was  wounded  and 
1  from  their  strong 

and,  collecting   his 
he   had  left  in  the 

troops. 

ir  hours.  We  may 
len  ;  and,  in  propor- 
great.  The  Ameri- 
7  were  left  dead  on 
rs,  of  whom  17  were 


killed  on  the  spot,  and  four  mortally  wounded.  Among  the  slam  was  Licuten- 
•mi-Colonel  Campbell,  of  Virginia,  whose  death  was  particularly  regretted.  The 
Ikitisii  lost  693  men  ;  of  whom  85  were  killed,  351  wounded,  and  257  missing ; 
3  Lounnissioned  officers  were  killed,  IG  wounded,  and  10  missing. 

Eacli  parly  claimed  the  victory  :  the  Americans,  because  they  had  driven  the 
Britisli  from  their  tirst  position  ;  and  the  British,  because  the  Americans  had 
been  obliged  to  retire  from  the  field.  In  the  early  part  of  the  battle,  Genera 
Creene  had  decidedly  the  advantage ;  but  the   British  commander  ultimately 

ki!i)t  his  ground.  ,     ,      ,       ,    .        .    r. 

'riie  British  remained  on  the  field  on  the  night  alter  the  battle  ;  but  next  alter- 
noou  destroyed  part  of  their  stores,  and  began  to  retreat  toward  Monk's  Corner 
leaving  about  seventy  of  their  wounded  at  Eutaw,  who  afterward  lell  into  thn 
hands  of  the  Americans.  About  fourteen  miles  from  the  field  ot  battle.  Colonel 
Stuart  was  met  by  a  reinforcement  under  Major  M'Arthur  marching  from 
Charleston  to  his  assistance.     Thus  strengthened,  ho   proceeded  to   Monk's 

General  Greene  marched  to  his  former  encampment  on  the  high  hills  of  Santee. 
Both  parties  had  suffered  so  much  at  the  battle  of  Eutaw  springs,  that  neither 
was  in  a  condition  to  undertake  offensive  operations ;  indeed,  the  battle  of  Eu- 
taw was  the  last  engagement  of  importance  in  the  southern  provinces.  A  num- 
ber of  rencounters  happened :  but  none  of  them  were  of  much  consequence. 
The  British  soon  retreated  to  the  quarterhouse  on  Charleston  Neck,  and  con- 
fined their  operations  to  the  defence  of  the  posts  in  that  vicinity.  The  interior 
of  the  country  which  had  lately  been  under  their  dominion,  was  abandoned,  and 
their  chief  aim  was  the  security  of  Charleston,  the  capital  of  South  Carolina. 
In  the  southern  provinces  the  campaign  of  1781  was  uncommonly  active.  The 
exertions  and  sufferings  of  the  army  were  great ;  but  the  troops  were  not  the 
only  sufferers  ;  the  inhabitants  were  exposed  to  many  calamities.  The  success 
of  Colonel  Campbell  at  Savannah  laid  Georuia  and  the  Carohnas  open  to  all  the 
horrors  which  attend  the  movements  of  conflicting  armies,  and  the  rage  of  civil 
dissensions,  for  two  years.  ,      ,    ,   ,  u     n  ■  •  t. 

In  those  provinces  the  inhabitants  were  nearly  divided  between  the  British 
and  Amerioim  interests,  and,  under  the  names  of  tories  and  whigs,  exercised  a 
savaife  hostility  against  each  other,  threatening  the  entire  depopulation  of  the 
comnry.  Besides,  each  of  the  contending  armies,  claiming  the  provinces  as  its 
own,  showed  no  mercy  to  those  who,  in  the  fluctuations  of  war,  abandoned  its 
cause  or  opposed  its  pretensions.  In  the  vicinity  of  Camden,  General  Greene 
in  one  day  hanged  eight  deserters  from  the  American  army  ;  and  the  British 
officers  commanding  in  South  Carolina  were  by  no  means  slow  m  similar  act« 
of  sanguinary  vengeance.  Numbers  were  put  to  death  as  deserters  and  traitors 
at  the  different  British  posts.  One  of  those  executions,  that  of  Colonel  Haynes, 
happened  at  Charlestmi,  on  the  4th  of  August,  while  Lord  Rawdon  was  in  that 
town  preparing  to  sail  for  Europe,  and  threatened  to  produce  the  most  sanguinary 
consequences.  u  »• 

Colonel  Haynes  had  served  in  the  American  militia  dur.ng  the  jiBge  ot 
Charleston  ;  but  after  the  capitulation  of  that  place,  and  the  expulsion  of  the 
American  army  from  the  province,  he  was,  by  several  concurring  circumstances, 
constrained,  with  much  reluctance,  to  subscribe  a  declaration  of  allegiance  to 
the  British  government,  being  assured  that  his  services  against  his  country 
would  not  be  required.  He  was  allowed  to  return  to  his  family ;  but,  in  viola- 
tion of  ihe  special  condition  on  which  he  had  signed  the  declaration,  he  was 
soon  called  on  to  take  up  arms  against  his  countrymen,  and  was  at  length  threat- 
ened with  close  confinement  in  case  of  further  refusal.  Colonel  Haynes  con- 
sideied  this  breach  of  contract  on  the  part  of  the  British,  and  their  inability-  to 


3fl2 


THE  riCTOUIAL  HISTORY 


aflbrd  him  the  protection  promised  in  reward  of  his  allegiance,  as  absolving  liu« 
from  the  obligations  into  which  he  had  entered  ;  and  accordingly  he  returntul  to 
the  American  standard.  In  the  month  of  Jidy  he  was  taken  prisoner,  cunfuuHl 
in  a  loathsome  dungeon,  and,  by  the  arbitrary  mandate  of  Lord  Uawdo!i  and 
Colonel  Balfour,  without  trial,  hanged  at  CharleRton.  He  behaved  with  mucb 
tirmness  and  dignity,  and  his  fate  awakened  a  strong  sensation. 

General  Greene,  with  his  army,  was  then  at  the  high  hills  of  Santee  ;  and, 
ns  a  considerable  part  of  the  province  was  wrested  from  the  hands  of  the  British, 
he  was  extremely  indignant  on  the  occasion,  and  demanded  of  the  royal  com- 
manders their  reasons  for  this  execution.  He  received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Bal- 
four, acknowledging  that  it  was  the  result  of  a  joint  order  from  Lord  Rawdon  and 
himself,  but  in  obedience  to  the  most  express  directions  of  Cornwallis,  to  put  to 
death  those  who  should  be  found  in  arms  after  having  been,  at  their  own  request, 
received  as  subjects  since  the  capitulation  of  Charleston  and  the  clear  conquest 
of  the  province  in  1780.  The  irritation  in  General  Greene's  army  on  the  occa^ 
sion  was  great ;  and  the  officers  petitioned  him  to  retaliate  the  execution  of 
Colonel  Haynes.  Accordingly,  General  Greene  soon  afterward  issued  a  procla 
mation,  threatening  to  make  British  officers  the  objects  of  retaliatory  vengeance. 

By  the  execution  of  Colonel  Haynes  the  British  gained  no  advantage  what- 
ever. It  excited  a  lively  sympathy  for  the  sufierer,  and  indignation  against  his 
enemies.  If  meant  as  a  retaliation  for  the  execution  of  Major  Andre,  it  was 
without  dignity.  Its  justice  was  questionable  ;  and  it  received  no  countenance 
from  sound  policy.  It  seems  to  have  proceeded  rather  from  the  petty  irritation 
of  disappointed  ambition,  than  from  the  cool  dictates  of  enlightened  justice  or 
political  wisdom. 

In  the  end  of  November,  General  Greene  with  a  detachment  of  his  army  sud- 
denly appeared  before  the  British  post  at  Dorchester  ;  and,  after  some  skirmish- 
ing, the  British  garrison  retired  to  the  vicinity  of  Charleston.  General  Greene 
posted  his  troops  on  both  sides  of  the  river  Ashley  ;  completely  covered  the 
country  from  the  Cooper  to  the  Edisto  ;  and  confined  the  British  to  Ch  arleston 
Neck  and  the  neighboring  islands.  In  Georgia,  the  British  force  was  concen- 
trated at  Savannah.  Thus,  in  the  course  of  the  campaign,  all  the  interior  parti> 
of  those  provinces  were  wrested  from  the  British  government,  and  restored  to 
the  American  Union.  In  that  service  General  Greene  was  greatly  assisted  by 
a  small,  but  active,  indefatigable,  and  daring  body  of  cavalry. 

During  this  campaign,  an  expedition  was  conducted  by  General  Pickens 
against  the  Cherokees,  who  had  been  instigated  by  the  British,  by  promises  of 
rewards  for  scalps,  &c.,  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  the  Americans.  The 
savages  were  vanquished,  and  compelled  to  sue  for  peace. 


CHAPTER  XHL 


Having  brought  the  active  campaign  of  1781  in  the  southern  states  to  a  close, 
we  shall  now  return  to  tbe  northward,  glance  at  the  general  condition  of  Ameri- 
can affairs  in  the  early  part  of  the  year,  and  then  attend  to  the  military  opera- 
tions on  the  Hudson  and  in  Virginia. 

Congress  had  called  for  an  army  of  37,000  men,  to  be  in  camp  on  the  Ist  of 
January  The  resolution,  as  usual,  was  too  late ;  but,  even  although  it  had 
been  promulgated  in  due  time,  it  is  not  likely  that  so  ^  irge  a  force  could  have 
oeen  brought  into  the  field.     The  deficiencies  and  delavs  on  the  part  of  th< 


itWtftigMmwMWgU'.MPU!l3WgiflwWWfc" 


i:e,  as  absolving  liu« 
liiigly  he  returned  ta 
n  prisuiicr,  cunfua^d 
Lord  Uawdo!)  and 
jehaved  with  inucb 
ion. 

ills  of  Santee  ;  and, 
hands  of  the  British, 
d  of  the  royal  com- 
er from  Colonel  Ual- 
in  Lord  Rawdon  and 
Cornwallis,  to  put  to 
at  their  own  request, 
d  the  clear  conquest 
's  army  on  the  occa^ 
,e  the  execution  of 
Arard  issued  a  procla 
italiatory  vengeance. 
[10  advantage  what- 
lignation  against  his 
lajor  Andre,  it  was 
ved  no  countenance 
1  the  petty  irritalioa 
lightened  justice  or 

lent  of  his  army  sud- 
after  some  skirmish- 
(1.  General  Greene 
pletely  covered  the 
ritish  to  Charleston 
li  force  was  concen- 
all  the  interior  partu 
snt,  and  restored  to 
greatly  assisted  by 

y  General  Pickona 
tish,  by  promises  of 
B  Americans.     Tho 


lem  states  to  a  close, 

condition  of  Ameri- 

}  the  military  opera- 

I  camp  on  the  Ist  of 
en  although  it  had 
;e  a  force  could  have 
^s  on  the  part  of  th< 


OF  TIIF,   AMKIUC.W  RKVOLUi'ION 


.';.s:( 


neveral  states  exceeiled  all  reasonable  anticipation.  \t  no  tune  during  this  ac- 
tive and  interesting  campaign  did  tlie  regular  force,  drawn  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Georgia  inclusive,  amount  to  3,000  men.  So  late  as  the  inonlii  of  April,  the 
Htates  from  New  Jersey  to  New  Haniipshire  inclusive  had  furnished  only  5,000 
infantry  :  but  this  force  was  slowly  and  gradually  increased:  till,  in  tiie  month 
of  May,  including  cavalry  and  artillery,  which  never  exceeded  1,000  men,  it 
presented  a  total  of  about  7,000,  of  whom  upward  of  4.000  might  have  lieen  re- 
lied on  in  active  service.  A  considerable  p.-'rt  of  this  small  force  arrived  in 
ciinip  too  late  to  acquire,  during  the  campaign,  that  discipline  which  is  essential 
to  military  success.  Inadequate  as  this  army  was  for  asserting  the  independence 
of  tile  country,  the  prospect  of  being  unable  to  support  it  was  still  more  alarming. 
'I'lie  men  were  in  rags  :  clothing  had  long  i)een  expected  from  Europe,  but  iiad 
not  yet  arrived,  and  ilie  disappointment  was  severely  felt. 

The  magazines  were  ill  supplied  ;  the  troops  were  often  almost  starving ;  and 
the  army  ready  to  be  dissolved  for  want  of  food.  The  arsenals  were  nearly 
empty.  Instead  of  having  the  recjuisites  of  a  well-appointed  army,  every'hing 
was  deficient ;  and  there  was  little  prospect  of  being  belter  provided,  for  money 
was  as  scarce  as  food  and  military  stores.  Congress  had  resolved  to  issue  no 
more  bills  on  the  credit  of  the  Union ;  and  the  care  of  supplying  the  army  was 
devolved  uj)on  the  several  states,  according  to  a  rule  established  by  that  body. 
Even  when  the  states  had  collected  the  specihed  provisions,  the  quartermaster- 
general  had  no  funds  to  pay  for  the  transportation  of  them  to  the  army,  to  accom- 
plish which,  military  impressment  was  resorted  to,  in  a  most  offensive  degree. 
Congress  was  surrounded  with  difficulties  :  the  several  states  were  callous  and 
dila'jry  ;  and  American  affairs  wore  an  aspect  of  debility  and  decay. 

To  deepen  the  general  gloom,  there  were  portentous  rumors  of  preparations 
for  savage  warfare  abng  the  whole  extent  of  the  western  frontier  :  and  of  an 
invasion  on  the  side  of  Canada,  'n  the  midst  of  tinancial  difficulties,  and  appre- 
hensions of  attack  both  from  foreign  and  domestic  enemies,  a  new  and  alarming 
danger  appeared,  in  a  quarter  where  it  was  little  expected,  and  which  threatened 
to  consummate  the  ruin  of  American  independence.  The  privations  and  suffer- 
ings of  the  troops  had  been  uncommonly  great  To  the  usual  hardships  of  a 
military  life  were  added  nakedness  and  hunger,  under  that  rigor  of  climate  which 
whets  the  appetite,  and  renders  clothing  absolutely  necessary.  By  the  depre- 
ciation of  the  paper  currency  their  pay  was  little  more  than  nominal,  and  it  waa 
many  months  in  arrear. 

Besides  those  evils,  which  were  common  to  the  whole  army,  the  troops  ot 
Pennsylvania  imagined  that  they  labored  under  peculiar  grievances.  Their  offi- 
cers had  engaged  them  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war.  On  the  expiratiop 
of  three  years,  the  soldiers  thought  themselves  entitled  to  a  discharge  :  the  offi- 
cers alleged,  that  they  were  engaged  for  the  war.  The  largo  bounties  given  to 
those  who  were  not  bound  by  previous  enlistment  heightened  the  discontent  of 
the  soldiers,  and  made  them  more  zealous  in  asserting  what  they  thought  their 
right,  in  the  first  transports  of  their  patriotism  they  had  readily  enlisted ;  but 
men  will  not  long  willingly  submit  to  immediate  and  unprofitable  hardships,  in 
the  prospect  of  distant  and  contingent  rewards. 

TJie  discontents  engendered  by  the  causes  now  mentioned  had  for  some  time 
been  increasing  ;  and,  on  the  1st  of  Tanuary,  1781,  broke  out  into  open  and  al- 
most universal  mutiny  of  the  tro^  s  of  Pennsylvania.  On  a  signal  given,  the 
greater  part  ol  the  non-commisaioned  officers  and  privates  paraded  under  arms, 
declaring  thei'  intention  of  marching  to  the  seat  of  congress,  to  obtain  a  redress 
of  grievancos,  or  to  abandon  the  service.  The  officers  made  every  exertion  tu 
bring  ihf  m  back  to  their  duty,  but  in  vain  :  in  the  attempt  a  captain  was  killeii, 
tnd  several  other  persons  wounded.     General  Wayne  internosed  ;  but,  on  cocu 


•A8\ 


"rilK    PIC'I'OKIAL   liixroHY 


itii;  liis  pistols  ;it  sumo  of  the  most  iiiidaciDiis  of  th»'  iniiliin'tTs,  sfverul  l)nyoiiet« 
Wire  at  liis  hrfast,  the  miMi  cxilaimiii'j;  :  "  Wo  rospoct  yoii,  we  htveyoii;  hut  you 
Tire  a  iUnuI  mau  if  you  tir*-  !  Do  not  niiHtaki'  us  :  wi>  are  not  i^oin^  Irt  th<>  eiieinv  ; 
oil  llie  contrary,  were  ihry  to  coint^  out,  you  shoiilil  sec  us  (ii,'lii  lunler  you  wiiii 
as  much  rt'sohition  and  alacrity  as  exrr  ;  hui  we  wish  a  rt'drcss  of  urii'vaiiccs, 
and  will  no  lonj^i^r  he  amused."  Such  of  llie  Pennsylvania  troops  as  had  at  lirst 
taken  no  part  in  the  disturhaiicu  wt^e  prevailed  on  to  join  the  inuliueers  ;  and 
till!  whole,  aiuountini,'  to  l,;{00  men,  with  six  fuld-pieces,  marched  from  Morris- 
town,  under  temporary  otlicers  of  their  own  election.  (Jeiieral  Washington's 
headi|uarters  were  then  at  .New  Wind.sor,  on  the  North  river. 

.Next  day  (Jeiieral  Wayne  and  Colonels  Mutter  and  .Stewart,  olKcers  who  in 
a  liiifh  degri'e  enjoyed  tlu!  confidence  and  atlection  of  the  troops,  followed  tho 
mutineers;  hut,  though  civilly  received,  they  could  not  succeed  in  adjusting  the 
diderences,  or  in  restoring  suhordiiiatioii.  On  the  thinl  day  the  mutiiieors  re- 
sumed their  march,  and  in  the  morning  arrived  at  Princeton.  Congress  and  tho 
Pennsylvania  government,  as  well  as  (ieneral  Washington,  were  much  alarmed 
hy  this  mutiny  ;  fearing  the  example  might  he  contagious,  and  lead  to  the  disso- 
lution of  the  feehle  American  army.  'I'herelore  a  committee  of  congress,  with 
the  governor  and  some  meinhers  of  the  executive  council%f  Pennsylvania,  set 
out  from  Philadelphia  for  the  piir|)ose  of  allaying  this  dangerous  commotion. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  who  heard  of  the  mutiny  on  the  morning  of  the  3d,  was 
ecjiially  active  in  endeavoring  to  turn  it  to  the  advantage  of  his  government.  He 
ordered  a  large  corps  to  be  in  readineos  to  march  on  a  moment's  notice ;  and 
sent  two  American  spies  hy  way  of  Ainboy,  and  two  by  way  of  Elizabethtown, 
as  agents  from  himself  to  treat  with  the  n'utineers.  But  two  of  the  persons  em- 
ployed were  actually  spies  on  himself,  and  soon  disclosed  his  proposals  to  the 
-American  authorities.  The  two  real  spies,  on  reaching  Princeton,  were  seized 
by  the  mutineers,  and  afterward  delivered  up  to  General  Wayne,  by  whom  they 
were  tried  and  executed  on  the  10th. 

At  first  the  mutineers  declined  leaving  Princeton  ;  but,  finding  their  demands 
would  be  substantially  complied  with,  they  marched  to  Trenton  on  the  9th,  and 
before  the  15th  the  matter  was  so  far  settled  that  tlu  committee  of  congress  left 
Trenton  and  returned  to  Philadelphia.  All  who  had  enlisted  for  three  years,  or 
during  the  war,  were  to  be  discharged  ;  and  in  cases  where  the  terms  of  enlist- 
ment could  not  be  produced,  the  oath  of  the  soldier  was  to  be  received  as  evi- 
dence on  the  point.  They  were  to  receive  immediate  certificates  for  the  depre- 
ciation on  their  pay,  and  their  arrears  were  to  be  settled  as  soon  as  circumstan- 
ces would  admit.  On  those  terms  about  one  half  of  the  Pennsylvania  troops 
obtained  their  discharge. 

The  success  of  the  Pennsylvania  troops,  in  exacting  from  their  country  by 
violence  what  had  been  denied  to  the  claims  of  equity,  produced  a  similar  spirit 
of  insubordination  in  another  division  of  the  army.  On  the  night  of  the  20th  of 
January,  about  160  of  the  Jersey  brigade,  which  was  quartered  at  Pompton,  com- 
plaining of  grievances  similar  to  those  of  the  Pennsylvania  line,  and  hoping  for 
equal  success,  rose  in  arms,  and  marched  to  Chatham,  with  the  view  of  prevail- 
ing on  some  of  their  comrades  stationed  there  to  join  ihem.  Their  number  was 
nut  formidable  ;  and  General  Washington,  knowing  that  he  might  depend  on  the 
fidelity  of  the  greater  part  of  his  troops,  detached  General  Robert  Howe  against 
the  mutineers,  with  orders  to  force  them  to  uiu  "^nditional  submission,  and  to  ex- 
ecute some  of  the  most  turbulent  of  them  on  tue  spot.  Thei'e  orders  were 
promptly  obeyed,  and  two  of  the  ringleaders  were  put  to  death. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Pennsylvanians,  endeavo.  <d  to  take 
advantage  of  the  mutiny  of  the  Jersey  brigade.  He  sent  emissaries  to  negotiate 
with  them,  and  detached  General  Robertson  with  3,000  meu  to  Staten  Island, 


OF'  'I'm:   AMKIMCA.N   KKVOMI'l'IrjN. 


39ft 


rr^,  nvvvTii]  bayoiicn 
i\v  l(i\ ('  you  .  I)ui  you 
l,'(iin)j[  Id  till!  (MiL'iny  ; 
liulii  uiiiler  yiMi  with 
(Iri'ss  of  urifv.'iiici's, 
tr()o[)8  as  liiiil  itt  lirNt 
tliu  niutiiiivTM  ;  and 
iirclied  t'roni  Morris- 
ncral  VVjKdiiugion'a 
r. 

fart,  ofKcera  wh(»  in 

troops,  l'oll<iw»'(l   tho 

L'ed  ill  adjusting  tin- 

y  the  mutineers  re- 

Congress  and  the 

woro  much  alarmed 

nd  lead  to  the  disso- 

ati  of  confiress,  with 

i)f  Pennsylvania,  set 

ous  commotion. 

ning  of  the   3d,  was 

is  government.     He 

>meiit'8   notice  ;  and 

y  of  Elizabethtown, 

o  of  the  persons  em- 

lis  proposals  to  the 

inceton,  were  seized 

ayne,  by  whom  they 

iding  their  demands 
nton  on  the  9th,  and 
itiee  of  congress  left 
d  for  three  years,  or 
;  the  terms  of  enlist- 
be  received  as  evi- 
licatea  for  the  depre- 
soon  as  circumstan- 
Pennsylvania  troops 

m  their  country  by 
uced  a  similar  spirit 
night  of  the  20th  of 
■ed  at  Pompton,  coin- 
line,  and  hoping  for 
the  view  of  prevail- 

Tbeir  number  was 
might  depend  on  the 
Robert  Howe  against 
bmission,  and  to  ex- 
Thei'e  orders  were 
th. 

endeavo.  <d  to  take 
lissaries  to  negotiate 
u  to  Staten  Island, 


to  he  111  (<-adiiie4B  (o  siip|Mirt  them,  if  they  should  :ii-c<m|i>   id   Ih"    |irii|Misiiis  ;  hut 
ilif  iiiutiiiy  was  so  spocdily  <Tiishrd  lliat  Ills  finissarifs  had  no  lir.H'  to  ;ict. 

Thrsu  couiinoiions  among  the  soldiers  iivvakciu'd  congress  to  a  sciist'  of  its 
i|aiig*>r,  and  rendered  it  moreutteiitive  in  soothing  the  army  than  it  imd  liithi^rto 
fii't'ii.  It  raised  alioiit  three  months'  pay  in  speiMe  ;  and  even  that  small  su>ii 
was  gratefully  reiMMvrd  i)y  the  troops,  who  considered  it  a  token  that  the  cuil 
autlioriiies  were  not  entirely  regardless  of  their  sutrerings  or  indiHereiii  to  tiieir 
I'linlori.  Hut.  iti  atti'iiiptiiig  to  e-icape  one  danger,  congress  fidt  itself  exposed 
to  another  scarcely  less  alarming.  The  means  used  to  sooth  tlie  armv  irritated 
il  e  piiiple.  The  troops  were  scantily  supplied  ;  and  yt't  the  inhahitants  iniir- 
iinired  at  the  conlrihiilioiis  levied  upon  them. 

Iliilierto  the  United  States  had  been  held  together  by  a  very  slender  liond. 
'I'lie  powers  of  congress  wt're  limited;  and  it  was  not  to  bo  expected  that  thir- 
teen in<le|)endent  states,  each  jealous  of  its  liberty,  power,  and  pro|)erly,  would 
proinpiiy,  harmoniously,  and  vigorously,  combine  their  strength  during  a  protract- 
eil,  expensive,  and  bloody  struggle.  Hut  tliough  every  man  of  discernment  was 
MuMiile  of  the  propriety  of  increasing  the  powers  of  coiign-ss,  and  consoipiently 
of  leaving  loss  in  the  hands  of  the  state  legislatures,  yet  the  several  stales,  hav- 
ing once  h(!en  in  possession  of  power,  felt  no  inclination  to  relinquish  any  part 
III  their  authority,  how  incompetent  soever  they  might  he  to  the  advantageous 
exercise  of  it  :  t'lus  tho  concentration  of  a  due  degree  of  power  in  the  hands  of 
congress  was  a  measure  which  could  not  be  easily  accomplished. 

The  war  had  continued  much  longer  than  the  Americans  had  originally  anti- 
cipated ;  and  the  natural  resources  of  the  country  were  so  much  exhausted,  that 
It  became  apparent  the  war  could  not  be  carried  on  without  a  foreign  loan  ;  and 
France  was  the  oidy  country  to  which  congress  could  look  for  pecuniary  aiiL 
.\ccordiiigly,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Laurens  was  employed  on  this  mission  ;  and, 
besides  endeavoring  to  negotiate  a  loan,  was  instructed  to  press  on  the  French 
monarch  the  advantage  of  maintaining  a  naval  superiority  in  the  American 
seas.  While  the  energies  of  America  were  thus  paralysed  by  the  financial  dif- 
ficulties of  congress,  the  mutinous  spirit  uf  part  of  the  army,  and  the  apathy  of 
several  of  the  states,  the  British  interest  in  the  provinces  seemed  in  a  prosperous 
condition.  General  Greene  maintained  a  doubtful  and  hazardous  struggle 
against  Cornwallis  on  the  northern  frontier  of  North  Carolina.  A  British  de- 
tachment from  New  York  made  a  deep  impression  on  Virginia,  where  the  resist- 
ance was  neither  so  prompt  nor  so  vigorous  as  had  been  expected  from  the 
strength  of  that  state  and  the  unanimity  of  its  citizens. 

The  untoward  condition  of  American  affairs  could  not  be  concealed  from  the 
British  ministry,  who  flattered  themselves  that  they  would  soon  compel  General 
Washington  and  his  feeble  army  to  take  refuge  in  the  states  of  New  England, 
and  that  they  would  reduce  ail  the  provinces  south  of  the  Hudson  to  submission 
to  the  British  crown.  But  exertions  on  the  one  side,  and  reverses  on  the  other, 
which  neither  had  anticipated,  were  soon  to  change  the  relative  state  of  tho  con- 
lending  parties. 

The  business  of  the  executive  had  hitherto  been  conducted  by  committees  of 
congress.  This  system  was  at  length  superseded  by  a  minister  of  foreign  aflairs, 
i  superintendent  of  finance,  a  secretary  of  war,  and  a  secretary  of  the  navy. 
Such  was  the  tardy  progress  of  congress,  that  the  year  was  far  spent  before  this 
improvement  could  be  completed. 

From  the  relative  position  and  strength  of  the  hostile  armies  on  the  Hudson, 
neither  could  hope  to  gain  any  decisive  advantage.  The  force  under  the  Ameri- 
can commander-in-chief  was  entirely  inadequate  to  attack  New  York ;  and  Sii 
Henry  Clinton  had  no  prospect  of  being  able  to  force  the  strong  posts  of  General 
Washington  in  the  highlands.     Neither  party  could  do  more  than  carry  on  n 

25 


fJ 


SM 


THR    PICTOKIAK    HIS'IORY 


petty  and  «l«Miiltory  warfiiro.  Hitherto  the  AintTicans  h.il  received  no  direci 
Bid  iVoin  the  Frencli  army.  Ever  sii  le  its  arrival,  ilie  tlcei  of  that  nation  ha ' 
heeii  blociiaded  at  Newport ;  and  the  land  forces  remained  in  a  position  tu  lo 
operate  witli  the  fleet  for  mutual  defence. 

About  the  middle  of  January,  the  British  Heel  was  overtaken  iiy  a  storm  otf 
the  ea»t  end  of  L'ltn^  Island,  ami  sustained  so  much  loss  and  iair-ue  as  to  ),'ive 
the  French  Meet  a  temporary  superiority  on  the  coast,  lieatouches,  the  Frem  b 
admiral,  was  previiled  on  to  seize  that  opportunity  of  sendini;  a  small  force  lu 
ihe  Chesapeake  bay  to  act  against  .Vrnold,  who  was  then  pilLjirinj;  Virginia  ;  bu' 
that  force  returned  to  Newport,  without  accomplishinij  anything  except  taking 
the  llomulus,  a  tifty-gun  ship,  on  her  way  from  Charleston  to  Chesapeake  b;iy 
General  Wa^ihington,  unwilling  to  relinquish  the  attempt  against  Arnold,  repair- 
ed to  Newport;  anil,  on  the  Gill  of  .March,  had  a  conference  with  the  French 
connnanders,  at  which  it  was  agreed  thai  the  whole  fleet  should  immediaudv 
sail  to  the  Chesapeake,  with  a  d'stachment  of  troops  on  board  ;  but,  owing  to  i 
foreseen  circumstances,  it  was  the  evci  ing  of  the  8lh  before  the  fleet  '  n  the 
harbor. 

.Meanwhile  due  notice  of  the  expedition  was  sent  to  the  Amer'tan  oiricci^ 
commanding  in  Virginia,  and  instructions  to  co-operate  with  'heir  ullit-s.  From 
this  enterprise  General  Washington  entertained  sanguine  exp'>i  '  '.  i  ^  of  being 
able  to  apprehend  Arnold  ;  and  directed  the  Marquis  de  lu  Fayetti  to  grant  him 
no  terms  which  would  save  him  from  the  consequences  of  his  crimes.  Hom  • 
ever,  the  delay  in  the  sailing  of  the  fleet  frustrated  the  desipn  of  the  American 
commander-in-chief. 

Admiral  Arbuthnot,  having  repaired  his  damages,  pursued,  and  on  the  ]  6th 
orertook  the  French  fleet,  off  the  capes  of  Virginia.  An  indecisive  engagement 
ensued,  in  which  each  party  claimed  the  victory  ;  but  the  object  of  the  French 
expedition  was  defeated,  and  the  fleet  returned  to  Newport. 

The  British  began  their  hostile  operations  against  America  in  the  provinces 
of  New  England  ;  but  there  they  met  with  such  a  stubborn  resistance  as  soon  in- 
duced them  to  abandon  that  part  of  the  country,  and  to  direct  their  attacks  against 
more  vulnerable  ;j(.,ias.  New  Yorl;  had  been  less  hostile  to  the  parent  slate  ; 
atid  there  they  t'tri;cted  a  lodgement,  with  the  view  of  separating  the  middle  from 
the  northern  colonies  From  that  station  the  war  had  been  carried  on  with 
doubtful  success.  In  1776,  an  attempt  against  Charleston  was  gallantly  re- 
pulsed ;  and  for  some  years  the  southern  states  enjoyed  the  reward  of  the  brave 
defence  of  Fort  Moultrie.  In  1780,  however,  the  British  arms  were  more  suc- 
cessful in  that  quarter,  and  when,  toward  the  close  of  the  campaign,  and  in  the 
early  part  of  1781,  it  was  believed  that  Cornwallis  had  subdued  Georgia  and  the 
Carolinas,  measures  were  concerted  for  invading  Virginia  also,  which  had  hith- 
erto escaped  the  scourge  of  war. 

By  means  of  Chesapeake  bay  and  the  great  rivers  which  fall  into  it,  that  state 
is  particularly  open  to  incur.sory  depredations  by  a  power  which  has  an  undis- 
puted naval  superiority.  Chesapeake  bay  is  a  remarkable  gulf  or  inland  sea 
Its  entrance,  between  Capes  Henry  and  ri;  ,,lo:;,  's  f  elve  miles  wide.  At  first 
it  runs  straight  inti  the  land,  but  afterward  funu  (ii)rtKward,  and  evtends  in  that 
<lirection  upward  of  150  miles.  It  is  ge.tali^  >,.  nine  fai.  ua  deep,  and 
varies  in  breadth  from  five  to  upward  of  .v  n^y  miltiib.  Its  shores  are  indented 
with  bays  and  projecting  points  ;  and  the  James,  York,  Rappahannock,  Poto- 
mac, and  Susquehannah,  large  and  navigable  rivers,  besides  a  number  of  smaller 
streams,  pour  their  waters  into  it.  The  same  causes  which  so  much  exposed 
the  state  to  invasion  by  means  of  a  superior  naval  force,  prevent  the  speedy 
^concentration  of  a  lurge  body  of  militia  at  any  one  point. 

Toward  the  end  of  October,  1780.  General  Leslie  entered  Chesapeake  bay 


OF  THR  AMKlilCAN   UF.Vni.UTlOX. 


38? 


I  received  no  JirAci 
■el  of  that  iiiilioii  hail 
1  ill  a  puititioii  lu  ci< 

taken  ity  a  storm  off 
mil  iaip  -we  as  to  djive 
Ddtouches,  the  Freiub 
Jifiij  a  iiinall  force  ru 
»iliugiiit;  Virginia  ;  bu' 
lythiii);  except  taking 
n  to  Chesapeake  l);iy 
gainst  Ariioiil,  repair- 
ice  with  the  Freiah 
t  should  iininediatelv 
ard  ;  but,  owing  to  lU  • 
fore  the   lleel   !  it  tlie 

he  American  oiHc*.!^ 
th  'heir  ullin.  From 
exp'ii '  '.  ,<-i  of  being 
FayetU  to  grant  him 
>f  his  crimes.  liov  ■ 
sign  of  the  American 

lied,  and  on  the  1 6th 
indecisive  engagement 

obj(!ct  of  the  French 
t. 

rica  in  the  provinces 
1  resistance  as  soon  in- 
ct  their  attacks  against 

to  the  parent  state  : 
rating  the  middle  from 
»een  carried  on  with 
ion  was  gallantly  re- 
le  reward  of  the  brave 

arms  were  more  sue- 

campaign,  and  in  the 
bdued  Georgia  and  the 

also,  which  had  hith- 

h  fall  into  it,  that  state 
which  has  an  undis- 
!  gulf  or  inland  sea 
)  miles  wide.  At  first 
1,  and  evtends  in  ilial 
le  fai.  .iia  deep,  and 
;s  shores  are  indented 
Rappahannock,  Poto- 
BS  a  number  of  smaller 
ch  so  much  exposed 
3,  prevent  the  speedy 

red  Chesapeake  bay 


landed  at  Purismuu:'i.  ttiid  befjaii  to  fortify  liiiimelf  there  with  aiioul  3,000  men 
Hut,  on  experieniMint  ii(U'Xii»'t'ted  and  incri'asiiijr  diniciilties  iii  the  ('aroiinas, 
('(irnwallis  direCnd  thai  i)(n  er  with  his  (letaciiiiit'iit  lo  procffd  to  Charleston. 
Till'  invasion  ol  Viri^inia,  huMt  u  r  though  interrupted,  was  not  nJiiKiuished. 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  rfsuiicd  to  prosecuie  ''"'  war  with  vigor  in  that  quarter ;  and 
in  tile  end  of  the  year  sent  the  noiorioiiN  <  ieneral  Arnold,  witli  1,600  men,  to 
(^hesafieake  bay.  ''hat  oIl'ictM  -  «l|i'i|  up  i  uiies'  river,  and  on  i  Ith  of  Janu- 
ary, 1781,  landed  at  Wcstover,  MO  miles  l.  'm  the  capes,  and  Iw,  ly-five  below 
Uichniond,  the  capital  of  the  state,  which  standi*  «'<  'he  north  side  the  river 
at  the  falls  or  rapids. 

.Major-General    iiaron  Steuben,   who   oominaiubd   in   that  jiart  of       irgini'> 


Fio.  151.— Baron  Steuben. 

.hoHght  the  expedition  was  intended  against  Petersburgh,  siti;  iied  on  the  Appo- 
mattox, which  falls  into  James  river  a  little  above  VVestover.  At  that  place  a 
considerable  quantity  of  stores  had  been  collected  for  the  usi  of  the  southern 
army  ;  and  those  stores  the  baron  caused  his  feeble  body  of  raw  troops,  scarcely 
amounting  to  300  men,  to  remove  to  a  place  of  greater  security 

At  VVestover,  Arnold  landed  with  the  greater  part  of  his  troops,  and  marched 
directly  toward  Richmond.  A  few  regulars  who  were  in  that  vicinity,  and 
some  militia,  were  ordered  to  impede  his  progress  ;  but  their  weak  efforts  were 
ineffectual.  Meanwhile,  Steuben  made  every  exertion  to  removt-  the  stores  from 
Richmond,  carrying  them  partly  across  the  river,  and  partly  to  W^st  Ham  at  the 
head  of  the  rapids. 

On  the  day  after  landing  at  Westover,  Arnold  entered  Richmond,  with  little 
)ppo4ition.  There  he  halted  with  500  men,  and  sent  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe 
forward  with  other  500  to  West  Ham,  where  he  burned  and  destroyed  a  valuable 
luundry,  a  boring  mill,  a  powder  magazine,  and  a  considerable  quantity  of  mili- 
tary stores.  Colonel  Simcoe  returned  to  Richmond,  where  the  public  property, 
*s  well  as  a  large  quantity  of  rum  and  salt  belonging  to  individuals,  were  J*- 
«iroyed.  After  completing  the  work  of  destruction  at  Richmond,  Arnold  return* 
*ti  <<o  Wugtover  on  the  7th  ;  ari,  after  aome  skirmishing,  reimbarked  on  the  lOth. 


\m 


S68 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


York  to  Chesapeake   bay 
and,  being  the  superior  ofli- 


sailed  dr.vn  he  rivei;,  destroying  on  his  way  the  stores  at  Smilhfield  anfl 
Mackay's  mills,  and  on  the  20th  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  where  he  manifested  an 
intention  of  establishing  a  permanent  post.  In  this  expedition  Arnold,  while  he 
destroyed  a  large  quantity  of  military  stores  and  other  valuable  property  of  dif- 
ferent kinds,  stated  his  loss  at  only  seven  men  killed  and  twenty-three  wounded. 

Baron  Steuben  b^ing  in  no  condition  to  attack  Arnold  at  Portsmouth,  was 
careful  to  station  his  'roops  at  the  most  convenient  passes  leading  from  that 
place  into  the  country,  in  order  to  alford  the  inhabitants  all  the  protection  in  ids 
power.  It  was  wliile  Arnold  lay  at  Portsmouth,  that  General  Washington  form- 
ed the  plan  of  iipprehtMidiiig  him,  which  failed  through  the  backwardness  of  th« 
French  to  enuiiije  in  it. 

As  Arnold's  force  was  not  sufficient  to  make  any  deep  and  permanent  im- 
pression on  the  powerfid  state  of  Virginia,  the  British  commander-in-chief  re- 
solved to  increase  it ;  and  for  that  purpose,  about  the  middle  of  Marcli,  sent 
(ieneral  Philips  with  2,000  chosen  men  from  New 
General  Philips  arrived  at  Portsmouth  on  the  26th 
cer,  took  the  command  of  the  army  in  Virginia. 

After  employing  some  time  in  completing  the  fortifications  of  Portsmouth, 
General  Philips  began  offensive  operations,  with  a  force  much  superior  to  what 
congress  could  oppose  to  him  in  that  part  of  the  country.  On  the  18th  of  April 
he  embarked  2,500  men  on  board  his  smaller  vessels,  and  sailed  up  James  river 
in  order  to  destroy  everything  that  had  escaped  the  ravages  of  Arnold.  He 
landed  at  Burrel's  ferry,  and  marched  to  Williamsburgh,  the  former  seat  of  gov- 
ernment  in  Virginia.  A  small  body  of  militia  assembled  there  retreated  on  his 
appioach,  and  he  entered  the  place  without  opposition.  He  sent  parties  through 
ail  the  lower  district  of  that  narrow  tract  of  land,  which  lies  between  James  and 
York  rivers,  who  destroyed  all  public  stores  and  property  which  fell  in  their 
way.  lie  then  reimbarked,  sailed  up  the  river  to  City  point,  where  he  landed 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  24th,  and  next  day  marched  to  Petersburgh,  where  he 
destroyed  an  immense  quantity  of  tobacco  and  other  property,  together  with  the 
vessels  lying  in  the  river. 

Baron  Sieuben  was  unable  to  make  any  effectual  resistance  to  this  ruthles? 
work  of  devastation.  The  regular  troops  of  the  state  had  been  sent  to  reinforce 
General  Greene,  and  the  militia  then  in  the  field  did  not  much  exceed  2,000. 
Even  although  the  whole  of  that  number  could  have  been  collected  at  any  one 
point,  yet  with  that  kind  of  force  no  enterprise  of  importance  could  be  underta- 
ken. To  have  hazarded  a  battle  with  (he  tnilitia  against  regular  troops  would 
only  have  been  to  ensure  defeat,  the  loss  of  arms,  and  the  consequent  discour- 
agement of  the  country.  Steuben  had  the  mortification  to  see  the  state  laid 
waste,  without  being  able  to  relieve  it ;  and  after  some  slight  skirtnishing  he  re- 
treated toward  Richmond. 

Arnold  was  detached  to  Osborne's,  a  small  village  on  the  south  side  of  James 
river,  fifteen  miles  below  Richmond ;  while  General  Philips  marched  to  Ches- 
terfield courh(mse,  which  had  been  appointed  the  place  of  rendezvous  for  the 
new  levies  of  Virginia,  where  he  destroyed  the  barracks  and  some  public  stores 
which  had  not  been  retnoved.  About  half  way  between  Osborne's  and  Rich- 
mond, a  few  smali  armed  vessels  which  had  been  collected  to  co-operate  with 
the  French  against  Portsmouth,  after  a  slight  resistance,  were  scuttled  and  set 
on  fire  by  their  crews,  wlto  joined  tha  militia  and  fled. 

On  the  30th  of  April,  Generals  Philips  and  Arnold  reunited  their  forces  neat 
Osborne's  and  marched  against  Manchester,  a  small  town  on  the  south  bank  of 
James  river,  opposite  Richmond,  where,  as  usual,  they  set  fire  to  the  warehouses 
And  consumed  the  tobacco  and  other  property. 

Al  that  critical  and  disastrous  period  in  the  history  of  Virginia,  the  Marquis 


;s  at  Smithfield  and 
lere  he  manifested  an 
tion  Arnold,  while  he 
lable  property  of  d 
t'enty-three  woiindod. 

at  Portsmouth,  was 
?s  leading  from  tliat 

the  protection  in  his 
ral  Washington  form- 
backwardness  of  the 

and  permanent  im- 
mmander-in-chief  n-- 
liddle  of  Marcli,  sent 
to  Chesapeake  bay 
eing  the  superior  ofii- 

itions  of  Portsmouth, 
mch  superior  to  what 
On  the  18th  of  April 
jailed  up  James  river 
ages  of  Arnold.  He 
e  former  seat  of  gov- 
lere  retreated  on  his 
e  sent  parties  through 
s  between  James  and 
which  fell  in  their 
int,  where  he  landed 
itersburgh,  where  he 
rty,  together  with  the 

ance  to  this  ruthles? 
leen  sent  to  reinfori;e 
much  exceed  2,000. 
collected  at  any  one 
ce  could  be  underta- 
regular  troops  would 
consequent  discour- 
)  see  the  state  laid 
ht  skirmishing  he  re- 

!  south  side  of  James 
s  marched  to  Ches- 
f  rendezvous  for  the 
id  some  public  stores 
Osborne's  and  Rich- 
1  to  co-operate  with 
ere  scuttled  and  set 

ited  their  forces  neai 
on  the  south  bank  of 
ire  to  the  warehouses 

''irginia,  the  Marqui> 


'   I 


m 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


389 


de  la  Fayette  arrived  from  the  northward  to  take  the  command  of  the  military 
force  in  that  state.  This  young  nobleman  had  early  espoused  the  cause  of 
America  with  all  the  enthusiasm  of  an  ardent  and  generous  mind,  and  had  mani- 
'"ested  such  a  lively  zeal  for  the  interests  of  the  Union  as  tecured  to  him  the  en- 
,ire  confidence  both  of  the  Ameiican  commander-in-chief  and  of  congress.  When 
.lie  attempt  was  meditated  against  Arnold  at  Portsmouth,  he  was  appointed  »o 
command  the  troops  to  be  employed  in  the  enterprise ;  but  on  the  abandonment 
of  the  expedition  by  the  naval  force  of  France  he  returned  from  Annapolis  in 
.Maryland,  where  he  had  arrived,  and  proceeded  to  the  head  of  Elk  river,  at 
which  place  he  received  orders  to  take  the  command  of  the  troops  in  Virginia. 

When  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  marched  to  the  southward  on  the  meditated 
enterprise  against  Arnold,  the  troops  which  he  carried  along  with  him  were  drawn 
cliietly  from  the  northern  states ;  and,  as  it  was  believed  the  expedition  w  ould 
be  of  short  duration,  they  were  ill  provided  for  a  southern  campaign,  and  had 
imbibed  strong  prejudices  against  the  climate.  When  they  understood  that  the 
duty  would  be  more  permanent  than  had  been  at  first  expected,  numbers  of  them 
deserted.  But,  appealing  to  their  honor,  the  marquis  at  length  succeeded  in  in- 
spiring his  troops  with  the  resolution  of  braving  every  danger  and  enduring  every 
privation  in  the  cause  of  their  country.  In  order  to  encourage  them,  that  young 
nobleman,  as  careless  of  fortune  as  he  was  ambitious  of  fame,  borrowed  money 
on  his  own  personal  credit  from  the  merchants  of  Baltimore  to  purchase  shoes, 
linen,  and  other  necessaries,  for  his  detachment ;  and  the  ladies  of  that  city, 
with  patriotic  zeal,  took  charge  of  immediately  making  the  summer  clothes  of  the 
troops. 

The  marquis  arrived  at  Richtnond  with  his  detachment  on  the  evening  before 
General  Philips  entered  Manchester ;  and,  instead  of  attempting  to  pass  the 
river  in  the  face  of  that  officer,  the  British  general  marched  back  to  Bermuda 
Hundreds,  a  point  of  land  formed  by  the  junction  of  James  river  and  the 
Appomattox,  destroying  much  valuable  property  on  his  way.  Embarking  his 
army,  he  sailed  down  the  river  as  far  as  Hog's  island,  where  the  van  of  his  fleet 
arrived  on  the  5th  day  of  May. 

On  the  return  of  the  British  down  the  river,  the  marquis  sent  small  parties  to 
follow  them  and  watch  their  motions,  while  he  established  his  headquarters  be- 
hind the  river  Chicahominy,  at  some  distance  from  Richmond.  On  the  7th  of 
May,  General  Philips  received  a  letter  from  Cornwallis,  informing  him  of  his 
lordship's  march  into  Virginia,  and  mentioning  Petersburgh  as  the  place  at 
which  he  expected  to  meet  the  British  troops  in  that  province.  General  Philips 
immediately  returned  up  the  river,  landed  one  division  at  Brandon,  while  another 
proceeded  to  City  point ;  and  on  the  9th,  those  two  divisions  met  at  Petersburgh, 
where  their  arrival  was  so  unexpected  that  they  took  prisoners  some  of  La 
Fayette's  ofiicors,  who  had  been  sent  to  that  place  for  the  purpose  of  collecting 
boats  to  conv(iy  his  troops  across  the  river.  Meanwhile  Genera!  Philips  was 
seized  with  f'.«ver,  and  was  so  ill  on  reaching  Petersburgh  as  to  be  unable  to 
give  orders.  The  progress  of  his  disease  wai  rapid,  and  he  died  four  days  after 
ward,  when  the  command  of  the  troops  devolvi  \  on  Arnold. 

We  formerly  left  Cornwallis  at  Wilmington,  iJi  North  Carolina,  on  the  7th  of 
April.  There  he  remained  eighteen  days,  in  order  to  refresh  his  exhausted 
troops  ;  and  having  resolved,  after  much  deliberation,  to  proceed  northward,  on 
the  '25th  of  the  month  he  set  out  on  his  march  into  Virginia,  a  distance  of  300 
miles.  In  his  progress,  he  met  with  little  opposition.  Colonel  Tarleton,  with 
180  cavalry  and  60  mounted  infantry,  preceded  the  army,  and  easily  dispersed 
any  bodies  of  militia  that  were  assembling  to  interrupt  it.  On  the  20th  of  May 
Cornwallis  reached  Petersburgh,  and  took  the  command  of  the  British  troops  in 
Virgiriia.     He  felt  his  force  decidedly  superior  to  that  opposed  to  him,  and  ex* 


H90 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


ulted  in  the  prospect  of  success.  Undervaluing  the  talents  and  resources  of  the 
Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  his  yoinig  opponent,  he  incautiously  wrote  to  Europe,  in 
a  letter  which  was  intercepted,  "  The  hoy  can  not  escape  me." 

On  being  informed  that  General  Philips,  in  returning  up  the  river,  had  landed 
at  Brandon  on  the  southern  bank,  and  that  Cornwallis  was  marching  northward, 
the  marquis  perceived  that  a  junction  of  their  forces  was  intended;  and  suspect, 
ing  that  Petersburgh  was  the  appointed  place  of  meeting,  he  endeavored  to  aii 
ticipate  them  in  the  occupation  of  that  town.  But  the  march  of  General  Philips 
was  so  rapid  that  he  entered  it  before  him,  and  frustrated  his  design.  The 
marquis,  with  his  little  army,  consisting  of  1,000  continentals,  2,000  militia,  and 
60  dragoons,  took  a  position  at  Richmond  and  exerted  himself  in  removing  the 
military  stores  to  places  of  greater  security. 

On  the  24th  of  May,  Cornwallis  left  Petersburgh,  crossed  James  river  at 
Westover,  thirty  miles  below  La  Fayette's  encampment,  and,  being  joined  by  a 
reinforcement  from  New  York,  marched  at  the  head  of  upward  of  4,000  veterans 
toward  Richmond.  But  the  marquis  evacuated  that  town  on  the  27th,  and  re- 
tired toward  the  back  country  ;  inclining  his  march  toward  the  north,  so  that  he 
might  easily  form  a  junction  with  General  Wayne,  who  was  hastening  to  rein- 
force him  with  800  men  of  the  Pennsylvania  line.  Cornwallis  eagerly  pursued 
his  retreating  foe  as  far  as  the  upper  part  of  Hanover  county  ;  but,  finding  it  im- 
possible to  overtake  the  marquis,  or  to  prevent  his  junction  with  General  Wayne, 
he  at  length  altered  the  course  of  his  march,  and  turned  his  attention  to  more 
attainable  objects. 

In  his  progress  he  destroyed  much  public  property.  That  of  individuals  also 
was  plundered  or  consumed,  under  pretext  of  cutting  the  sinews  of  war ;  so  that 
Virginia,  which  had  long  escaped  hostile  ravages,  now  experienced  its  full  share 
of  the  public  calamity.  Cornwallis  took  the  horses  from  the  stables  of  private 
gentlemen,  formed  an  efficient  cavalry,  and  mounted  many  of  his  infantry  ;  so 
that  he  could  move  considerable  detachments  with  uncommon  rapidity 

Being  thus  provided  with  the  means  of  rapid  marches,  he  planned  an  expedi- 
tion against  Charlotteville,  where  the  general  assembly  of  Virginia  was  then 
•itting,  deliberating  on  the  means  necessary  for  the  prosecution  of  the  war. 
The  assembly  had  been  sitting  at  Richmond,  but,  on  the  approach  of  the  British 
army,  had  retired  to  Charlotteville,  which  stands  on  the  bank  of  the  Rivanna, 
high  up  the  river.  At  that  place  there  were  some  military  stores  :  but  the  Brit- 
ish prisoners  were  removed  from  it  and  conducted  toward  Pennsylvania. 

The  force  under  Tarleton,  in  the  expedition  against  Charlotteville,  consisted 
of  180  cavalry  and  seventy  mounted  infantry  of  the  23d  regiment.  At  first  the 
second  battalion  of  the  Tlst  regiment  was  ordered  to  accompany  him,  but  the 
officers  of  that  regiment  presented  a  memorial  to  Cornwallis,  representing  their 
unwillingness  to  serve  under  that  officer,  who  had  commanded  at  the  Cow-Pens, 
where  the  first  battalion  of  their  regiment  were  made  prisoners.  They  were 
therefore  attached  to  Simcoe's  corps,  and  the  23d  regiment  appointed  to  accom- 
pany Tarleton,  who  on  that  occasion  displayed  his  usual  activity,  and  advanced 
so  rapidly  toward  the  place  of  destination,  t' at  it  was  by  mere  accident  that  the 
inhabitants  of  Charlotteville  heard  of  his  approach  before  he  entered  the  town, 
*nd  that  all  the  members  of  the  assembly  of  Virginia  were  not  made  prisoners. 
But  Mr.  Janiette,  a  private  gentleman,  observing  Tarleton 's  march,  suspecting 
his  design,  mounted  a  fleet  horse,  and,  by  following  a  short  and  unfrequented 
road,  reached  the  town  two  hours  before  tiic  British  cavalry  entered  it.  The 
greater  part  of  the  legislative  assembly  escaped  and  re-assembled  at  Staunton, 
beyond  the  Blue  Ridge  ;  only  seven  of  them  were  made  prisoners.  Tarleton 
deslroyfid  all  the  public  stores  at  Charlotteville  ;  and  sent  Captain  M'Leod,  with 
a  troop  of  horse,  to  Mr.  JefTerson's  mansion  three  miles  farther,  in  order  to  ap- 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOI-HTION. 


3»i 


and  resources  of  the 
'  wrote  to  Europe,  in 

the  river,  had  landed 
marching  northward, 
tended ;  and  suspect, 
le  endeavored  to  ari 
3h  of  General  Philips 
id  his  design.  The 
lis,  2,000  militia,  urid 
self  in  removing  the 

ssed  James  river  at 
d,  being  joined  by  a 
ard  of  4,000  veterans 
on  the  27th,  and  re- 
the  north,  so  that  he 
s  hastening  to  rein- 
allis  eagerly  pursued 
y  ;  but,  finding  it  im- 
vith  General  Wayne, 
8  attention  to  more 

at  of  individuals  also 
lews  of  war ;  so  that 
srienced  its  full  share 
he  stables  of  private 
of  his  infantry  ;  so 
on  rapidity 
e  planned  an  expedi- 
Virginia  was  then 
lecution  of  the  war. 
proach  of  the  British 
ink  of  the  Rivanna, 
stores  :  but  the  Brit- 
'ennsylvania. 
irlotteville,  consisted 
iment.  At  first  the 
impany  him,  but  the 
s,  representing  their 
led  at  the  Cow-Pens, 
ioners.  They  were 
appointed  to  arcom- 
;tivity,  and  advanced 
ere  accident  that  the 
e  entered  the  town, 
not  made  prisoners. 
8  march,  suspecting 
rt  and  unfrequented 
:y  entered  it.  The 
embled  at  Staunton, 
prisoners.  Tarieton 
'aptain  M'Leod,  with 
her.  in  order  tu  ap- 


prehend that  gentleman  and  some  other  individuals  who  were  understood  to  be 
ihere,  but  with  instructions  to  commit  no  depredations.  Mr.  Jeflerson  and  hia 
irieiuis  made  their  escape;  but  M'Leod  punctually  obeyed  his  orders  ;  and.  after 
remaining  eighteen  hours  in  the  house,  left  it  and  all  it  contained  uninjured  ; 
conduet  which  was  very  rare,  especially  in  Virginia. 

Colonel  Tarieton  having  executed  his  commission  at  Charlotieville,  hastened 
down  the  Rivanna  to  co-operate  with  Colonel  Simcoe,  who  had  been  sent  with 
1  detachment  of  500  men,  chiefly  infantry,  in  order  to  surprise  Banm  Steuben, 
who  was  then  at  Point  of  Fork,  formed  by  the  confluence  of  the  Rivanna  and  Flu- 
vanna, the  two  great  branches  which  constitute  James  river.  He  had  upward  of 
500  raw  troops  anil  a  considerable  iiuantity  of  stores  under  his  protection  ;  and 
wailed  lor  the  militia  to  the  south  of  James  river,  who  had  been  directed  to  as- 
seinlile  at  Point  of  Fork. 

Colonel  Simcoe's  progress  had  not  been  so  rapid  as  that  of  raneton  ;  but  so 
skilfully  had  he  conducted  his  march,  that  though  Sieuben  had  heard  of  Tarle- 
toii's  e.xpedition  against  Charlotteville,  yet  he  had  received  no  notice  of  Simcoe's 
approach  to  his  own  encampment ;  but,  as  a  measure  of  precaution,  he  left  Point 
of  Fork  and  took  a  position  on  the  south  side  of  the  Fluvanna,  securing  all  the 
boats  on  the  southern  bank.  Colonel  Simcoe's  detachment  unexp(a-tedly  ap- 
peared ;  and  the  baron,  mistaking  it  for  the  van  of  the  British  army,  retreated 
precipitately  during  the  night,  leaving  behind  him  part  of  the  stores,  which  were 
ne.\t  (lay  destroyed  by  Colonel  Simcoe.  The  baron  did  not  halt  till  he  was 
thirty  miles  from  Point  of  Fork. 

In  Virginia  the  British  had  committed  fearful  devastations,  and  had  destroyed 
much  valuable  property  ;  but  Cornwallis,  though  at  the  head  of  a  superior  army, 
had  gained  no  important  advantage  over  his  opponent.  He  had  pushed  the 
Marquis  de  la  Fayette  across  the  Rappahannock,  but  was  unable  to  prevent  his 
junction  with  General  Wayne,  which  was  accomplished  at  Rackoon  ford  on  the 
7th  of  June.  The  marquis  immediately  repassed  the  Rappahaimock,  and  ad- 
vanced toward  the  British  army. 

In  the  course  of  those  movements  Cornwallis  had  got  completely  between  the 
marquis  and  the  stores  of  the  state,  which  were  deposited  at  different  places, 
but  principally  at  Alben.arle  old  courthouse  high  up  tho  Fluvanna,  on  the  south 
side  of  the  river.  Those  stores  were  an  object  of  importance  to  both  armies  ; 
and,  early  in  June,  the  British  commander,  after  having  dispensed  with  the  ser- 
vices of  Arnold,  and  allowed  him  to  return  to  New  York,  directed  his  march  to 
Albemarle  courthouse.  The  marquis  was  anxioi^s  to  preserve  his  magazines  ;  and, 
while  the  British  army  was  more  than  a  day's  march  from  Albemarle  courthouse, 
by  a  rapid  and  unexpected  movement  he  suddenly  appeared  in  its  vicinity.  The 
British  general  easily  penetrated  his  design ;  and,  being  between  him  and  his 
magazines,  took  a  position  near  the  road,  so  that  he  could  attack  him  with  ad- 
vantage if  he  attempted  to  advance.  During  the  night,  however,  the  marquis 
discovered  and  cleared  a  nearer  but  long  disused  road,  and  passed  the  British 
army  unobserved  ;  and.  in  the  morning.  Cornwallis,  with  surprise  and  mortifica- 
tion, saw  his  adversary  strongly  posted  between  him  and  tlie  stores. 

Perceiving  that  the  Americans  could  not  be  attacked  unless  under  great  dis- 
advantages, and  believing  their  force  greater  than  it  really  was,  Cornwallis 
abandoned  his  enterprise  and  began  a  retrograde  movement,  and.  in  two  night 
marches,  fell  back  upward  of  fifty  miles.  On  the  17th  of  June  he  entered  Rich- 
mond, but  left  it  on  the  20th,  and  continued  his  route  to  Willia.nsburgh,  where 
ihe  main  body  of  his  army  arrived  on  the  25th. 

The  American  army  followed  him  at  a  cautious  distance.  On  the  19th  the 
marquis  was  joined  by  Steuben  with  his  detachment,  which  increased  the  Ameri- 
nan  army  to  4,000  men  ;  of  whom  2,000  were   regulars,  vut  only   1,500   wer« 


^iggSfeM^i. 


m 


Ji)2 


THE  PICTOHIAI.  HISTORY 


limciplineil  troops.     That  of  Oornwallis  appears  to  have  been  somewhat  more 
numerous,  and  consisted  entirely  of  veterans  :   it  was  also  provideil  with  a  well 
mounted  body  of  cavalry,  which  had  spread  terror  and  devastation  over  the  conn 
try,  and  greatly  intimidated  tlie  militia. 

Though  the  marquis  kept  about  twenty  miles  behind  the  main  body  of  the 
British  army,  yet  his  light  parties  hung  on  its  rear,  and  skirmishes  occasionally 
ensued.  A  sharp  encounter  happened  near  Williamsburgh  between  the  advanceil 
guard  of  the  Americans,  under  Colonel  Hutler,  and  the  rear  guard  of  the  British 
under  (yolonel  Simcoe.  in  which  both  sull'ered  considerable  loss.  I'art  of  tlie 
British  army  marched  to  (Colonel  Sinu'oe's  assistance,  and  the  Americans  wer.- 
obliged  to  retreat.  Althinigh  the  manpiis  encouraged  skirmishes  and  partial 
conlhcts,  yet,  distrusting  his  new  U  vies  and  militia,  he  cauticmsly  avoided  a 
general  battle.  While  the  British  ai-ny  remained  at  Williamsbnrgh,  the  Ameri- 
cans occupied  a  strong  encampment  twenty  miles  from  that  place. 

During  the  various  movements  of  the  troops  in  Virginia,  property  to  a  great 
amoi  tit,  both  puldic  and  private,  was  destroyed.  Among  other  articles  2,000 
hogsheads  of  tobacco  were  burned  ;  individuals  suffered  severely,  and  the  re- 
sources of  the  state  were  considerably  impaired.  While  the  army  traversed  the 
coun'ry,  carrying  devastation  in  its  train,  ships-of-war  sailed  up  the  rivers,  pil- 
laged the  farms,  received  fugitive  negroes,  and.  in  some  instances,  laid  the 
houses  in  ashes.  Early  in  the  spring  a  British  frigate  went  up  the  Potomac  to 
General  Washinirton's  mansion  at  .Mount  Vernon,  and  demanded  from  the  stew- 
ard a  quantity  of  provisions,  which  was  granted  in  order  to  save  the  property. 
This  compliance,  however,  was  not  satisi'actory  to  the  American  commander-in- 
chief,  who  declared  that  it  would  have  becMi  more  agreeable  to  him  to  have  left 
the  enemy  to  take  what  they  pleased  by  force,  even  at  the  risii  of  burning  his 
house  and  property. 

Though  the  militia  showed  no  alacrity  in  taking  the  field,  and  though  less  re- 
sistance was  made  to  the  royal  arms  in  Virginia  than  had  been  exjiected  from 
such  a  powerful  state,  yet  very  little  inclination  manifested  itself  among  the  peo- 
ple to  support  the  British  cause.  Some  loyalists  in  a  remote  part  of  the  province 
were  easily  reduced  to  unconditional  submission  by  (General  Morgan,  whom  ill 
health  had  obliged  to  quit  the  army ;  but  who,  on  this  occasion,  j)ui  himself  at 
"he  head  of  a  ft^w  moimted  rillemen  to  subdue  the  insurgents. 

We  will  here  introduce  tlie  adventure  of  Charles  Morgan,  commonly  called 
Charlie  by  his  comrades  Charlie  was  a  shrewd  private  of  the  Jersey  brigade 
a  good  soldier,  and  had  attracted  the  notice  of  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette.  In 
the  course  of  the  movements  on  James  river,  the  marquis  was  anxious  to  procure 
exact  information  of  the  force  under  Cornwallis,  and,  if  |)ossil.le,  to  penetrate  his 
lordship's  designs  ;  he  considered  (Charlie  as  a  proper  agent  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  his  purposes,  and  proposed  to  him  to  enter  the  Ikitish  camp  in  the  char- 
acter of  a  deserter,  but  in  reality  as  a  spy.  Charlie  imdertook  tlie  perilous  en- 
terprise, merely  stipulating  that,  if  he  were  detected,  the  marcpiis  should  cause 
it  to  be  inserted  in  the  Jersey  newspapers,  that  he  was  acting  under  the  orders 
of  his  commanding  othcer. 

The  pretended  deserter  entered  the  British  lines  and  was  conducted  into  the 
presence  of  (yornwallis.  On  being  questioned  by  that  nobleman  concerning  his 
motive"?  for  desertion,  he  replied,  ••  that  he  had  been  with  the  American  army 
from  the  beginning  of  the  war,  and  that  while  under  General  Washington  he 
was  sai'sfied  ;  but  that  now  they  had  put  them  under  a  Frenchman,  he  did  not 
like  it,  and  therefore  had  deserted."  Charlie  was  received  without  suspicion, 
was  punctual  in  discharging  his  duty  as  a  soldier,  and  carefully  observed  every- 
thing that  passed.  One  day  while  on  duty  with  his  comrades,  Cornwallis,  wno 
was  ill  close  conversation  with  some  of  his  officers,  called  hin?  and  asked. "  How 


-■awgHam'.ai(.iiwi!i«o»iLiiiHwiiiiMiiii 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


.193 


een  somewhat  iiior* 
rovideil  with  u  well 
station  over  the  conn 

e  tnain  body  of  tin; 
rmishes  occasionally 
ptween  the  advanced 
guard  of  the  British 
^  loss.  I'art  of  the 
he  Americans  were 
rniishps  and  partial 
iiutionsly  avoided  a 
iiishnrgh,  the  .\ineri- 
placc. 

Iiroperty  to  a  great 
>ther  articles  2,000 
•vereiy,  and  the  re- 
i  army  traversed  the 
1  up  the  rivers,  ()il- 
!  instances,  laid  the 
;  up  the  Potomac  to 
nded  from  the  stew- 
savo  the  property, 
rican  commander-in- 
to  him  to  have  left 
risii  of  burning  his 

and  though  less  re- 
leen  exjiected  from 
iself  among  the  peo- 
I  part  of  the  province 
I  Morgan,  whom  ill 
sion,  put   himself  at 

n,  commonly  called 
the  Jersey  brigade 
de  la  Fayette.  In 
s  anxious  to  procure 
il.le,  to  penetrate  his 
for  the  accomplish- 
sh  camp  in  the  char- 
ok  ilie  perilous  en- 
ir(|uis  should  cause 
ng  under  the  orders 

i  conducted  into  the 
man  concerning  his 
le  American  army 
ral  Washington  he 
fichman,  he  did  not 
without  suspicion 
dly  observed  every- 
3S,  Cornwallis,  wno 
va  and  asked."  ilow 


long  will  it  take  tlie  marquis  to  cross  James  river  ?"  "  Three  hours,  my  lord, 
was  the  answer.  "  Three  hours !"  exclaimed  his  lordship,  "  will  it  not  take 
three  days  ?"  "  No,  my  lord,"  said  Charlie  ;  *'  the  marquis  has  so  many  boats, 
each  boat  will  carry  so  many  men  ;  and  if  your  lordship  will  take  the  trouble  of 
calculating,  you  will  find  he  can  cross  in  three  houra."  Turning  to  his  officers, 
the  earl  said,  in  the  hearing  of  the  American,  "The  scheme  will  not  do." 

Charlie  was  now  resolved  to  abandon  his  new  friends  ;  and  for  that  purpose 
plied  his  comrades  with  grog  till  they  were  all  in  high  spirits  with  the  liquor, 
lie  then  began  to  complain  of  the  wants  in  the  British  camp,  extolled  the  plen- 
lifiil  provision  enjoyed  by  the  Americans,  and  concluded  by  proposing  to  them 
to  desert :  they  agreed  to  accompany  him,  and  left  it  to  him  to  manage  the  sen- 
tinels. To  the  first  he  oflTered,  in  a  very  friendly  maimer,  a  draught  of  rum 
from  his  canteen  ;  but,  while  the  soldier  was  drinking,  Charlie  seized  his  arms, 
and  then  proposed  to  him  to  desert  with  them,  which  he  did  through  necessity 
The  second  sentinel  was  served  in  the  same  way ;  and  Charlie  hastened  to  the 
Atnerican  camp  at  the  head  of  seven  British  deserters.  On  presenting  himself 
before  his  employer,  the  marquis  exclaimed,  "  .\h,  Charlie  !  have  you  got  back  ?" 
"  Yes,  sir,"  was  the  answer,  "  and  have  bnnight  seven  more  with  me."  The 
marquis  offered  him  money,  but  he  declined  accepti.ig  it,  and  only  desired  to 
have  his  gun  again :  the  marquis  then  proposed  to  raise  him  to  the  rank  of  a 
corporal  or  serjeant,  but  Charlie's  reply  was,  "  I  will  not  have  any  promotion  ;  I 
have  al)ilities  for  a  common  soldier,  and  have  a  good  character  :  should  I  be 
promoted,  my  abilities  may  not  answer,  and  I  may  lose  my  character."  He, 
liowever,  generously  requested  for  his  fellow-soldiers,  who  were  not  so  well 
supplied  with  stockings,  shoes,  and  clothing  as  himself,  the  marquis's  interference 
to  procure  a  supply  of  their  wants. 

For  some  time  after  entering  Virginia,  Cornwallis  entertained  the  most  flat- 
tering hopes  of  success.  He  was  at  the  head  of  an  army,  which  no  force  in 
that  province  was  a^le  to  resist ;  and  he  felt  no  doubt  of  succeeding  against  the 
Marquis  de  la  Fayette.  But  that  young  officer  eluded  his  most  active  exertions, 
frustrated  some  of  his  schemes,  and  now  hung  upon  him  with  an  army,  which, 
though  still  ii.ferior,  was  nevertheless  forinidable,  and  daily  increasing  in  strength. 
But  new  disappointments  and  more  mortifying  events  awaited  this  active  noble- 
man. While  at  Williamsburgh  he  received  a  requisition  from  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton for  part  of  the  troops  under  his  command  :  the  commander-in-chief  having 
discovered  that  an  attack  was  meditated  on  New  York,  thought  his  garrison  in- 
sufficient for  the  defence  of  that  place,  and  wished  part  of  the  troops  in  Virginia 
to  be  sent  to  his  assistance.  Cornwallis  prepared  to  comply  with  Sir  Henry 
(Clinton's  requisition  ;  and,  believing  that  with  the  remaining  troopsi  he  would  be 
unable  to  maintain  himself  at  Williamsburgh,  he  resolved  to  pass  James  river 
and  retire  to  Portsmouth.  On  the  30th  of  June  he  apprized  the  commander-in 
chief  of  his  resolution. 

On  the  4th  of  July  the  army  marched  from  Williamsburgh,  and  encamped  on 
the  bank  of  James  river,  so  as  to  cover  a  ford  leading  into  the  island  of  James- 
town. On  the  5th  and  6th,  the  baggage  and  some  of  the  troops  passed  the 
ford  ;  but  the  main  body  of  the  army  kept  its  ground. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  July,  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  left  his  encamp- 
ment, crossed  the  Chickahominy,  pushed  his  light  troops  near  the  British  posi- 
tion and  advanced  with  the  continentals  to  make  an  attempt  or  the  British  rear, 
after  their  main  body  had  passed  th(  river.  On  the  afternocj .  of  the  6th,  the 
marquis  was  told  that  the  main  body  of  the  British  army  had  crossed  the  ford, 
and  that  a  rear  guard  only  remained  behind  ;  an  opinion  which  the  British  gen- 
eral artfully  encouraged  by  the  judicious  manner  in  which  he  posted  his  troops 
General  \Vayne,  imagining  that  he  had  to  fight  a  rear  j>uard  orly,  advance** 


rff^S^ 


304 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


bdldly  against  the  enemy  ;  but  in  a  short  time  he  unexpectedly  found  himself  iq 
presence  of  the  Britisli  army  drawn  up  to  receive  him.  Instant  retreat  he  con- 
Bidered  impracticable,  and  thought  the  boldest  course  the  most  safe.  With  800 
men  he  made  a  brisk  attack  ;  and  for  some  minutes  the  conflict  was  sharp  and 
bloody.  But  La  Fayette,  discovering  the  mistake,  ordered  a  retreat,  which  wa» 
made  with  precipitation,  leaving  two  pieces  of  cannon  in  the  hands  of  the  Brit- 
ish. The  Americans  retired  behind  a  morass  ;  and,  it  being  nearly  dark,  Corn- 
wallis,  suspecting  an  ambuscade,  ordered  no  pursuit.  In  this  encounter,  the 
Americans  had  118  men,  including  ten  officers,  killed,  wounded,  or  taken  pris- 
onfTs.  The  loss  of  the  British  was  not  so  great,  amounting  to  five  officers,  and 
about  seventy  privates.  In  the  course  of  the  night  the  British  passed  into  the 
island  ;  whence  soon  afterward  they  proceeded  to  Portsmouth. 

The  troops  required  by  the  commander-in-chief  were  embarked ;  but,  before 
they  sailed,  despatches  arrived  from  New  York  countermanding  the  order.  At 
the  same  time,  the  commander-in-chief  deprecated  the  thought  of  abandoning  the 
Chesapeake,  stating,  that  as  soon  as  the  season  for  military  operations  in  that 
quarter  returned,  he  would  probably  send  thither  all  the  disposable  troops  under 
his  command,  and  recommending  the  establishment  of  a  defensive  post  for  the 
reception  of  ships-of-ihe-line,  either  at  York,  on  the  river  of  that  name,  or  at 
Point  Comfort  in  Hampton  Road.  Cornwallis  accordingly  ordered  Point  Com- 
fort and  York  to  be  surveyed  by  engineers  and  officers  of  the  navy,  from  whose 
report  it  appeared  that  works  constructed  on  old  Point  Comfort  could  neither  de- 
fend the  entrance  into  Hampton  Road,  nor  afford  protection  to  ships  lying  there ; 
and  as  it  was  admitted  that  Portsmouth  was  not  a  station  of  the  duscription  re- 
quired, Cornwallis  thought  his  instructions  left  him  no  alternative  but  to  fortify 
York  and  Gloucester,  as  the  only  points  capable  of  affording  the  requisite  pro- 
tection to  ships-of-the-line.  Measures  were  accordingly  taken  for  seizing  and 
fortifying  these  places,  and  for  evacuating  Portsmouth.  Part  of  the  army  pro- 
ceeded, in  boats  and  transports,  up  the  Chesapeake  and  York  river,  and,  on  the 
Ist  of  August,  took  possession  of  Yorktown  and  Gloucester  Point,  the  former  on 
the  south,  the  latter  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  The  evacuation  of  Ports 
mouth  was  completed  ;  and  on  the  22d  the  British  force  in  Virginia  concentra- 
ted at  York  and  Gloucester.  Here  we  shall  leave  Cornwallis  and  his.  army  dili- 
gently fortifying  themselves,  and  for  a  while  turn  our  attention  to  the  northward. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  the  affairs  of  congress  wore  a  gloomy  and  alarm- 
ing aspect :  the  finances  were  exhausted,  the  troops  mutinous,  the  army  much 
diminished  in  numbers,  and  the  soldiers  who  remained  with  the  standards  of 
their  country,  were  in  a  stale  of  entire  destitution.  The  necessity  of  a  foreign 
loan  and  of  European  auxiliaries  was  obvious;  and  an  early  application  for  both 
had  been  made  to  France.  But,  how  well  dis|  )sed  soever  that  power  was  to 
grant  the  desired  assistance,  compliance  was  no  easy  matter :  for  the  treasury 
had  enough  to  do  in  answering  the  national  demands  necessarily  made  on  it,  and 
was  little  able  to  supply  foreign  wants.  As  a  signal  proof  of  friendship,  how- 
ever, the  French  monarch  gave  his  allies  a  donatioi;  of  six  millions  of  livres,  and 
promised  to  support  them  with  a  strong  naval  and  military  armament. 

Early  in  May,  the  Count  de  Barras,  who  had  been  appointed  to  the  command 
of  the  French  fleet  on  the  American  coast,  arrived  at  Boston,  accompanied  by 
the  Viscount  de  Rochambeau,  commander  of  the  land  forces.  An  interview 
between  General  Washington  and  the  French  commanders  was  immediately 
appointed  to  be  held  at  Wethersfield,  on  the  2 1  st ;  but  some  movements  of  the 
British  tteet  made  De  Barras  repair  to  Newport,  while  the  two  generals  met  at 
the  appointed  place,  and  agreed  on  a  plan  of  the  campaign.  It  was  resolved  to 
unite  the  French  and  American  armies  on  the  Hudson,  and  to  commence  vigor- 
ous operations  against  New  York.     The  regular  army  at  that  station  was  esti- 


■niH»jjyiji; 


"  !"'»■' 


(ih'  THE  AMERICAN  liEVOI.UTlON. 


;jii.') 


Jly  found  himself  in 
tant  retreat  he  con- 
ist  safe.  With  800 
lict  wKtt  sharp  and 
I  retreat,  which  wa» 

hands  of  the  Brit- 
f  nearly  dark,  Corn- 
this  encounter,  the 
ided,  or  taken  pris- 
to  five  officers,  and 
ish  passed  into  the 
;h. 

barked ;  but,  before 
ling  the  order.  At 
hi  of  abandoning  the 

operations  in  that 
osable  troops  under 
enaive  post  for  the 
)f  that  name,  or  at 
Drdered  Point  Com- 
3  navy,  from  whose 
trt  could  neither  de- 
:o  ships  lying  there ; 
the  duscription  re* 
lative  but  to  fortify 
;  the  requisite  pro- 
:en  for  seizing  and 
rt  of  the  army  pro- 
k  river,  and,  on  the 
Point,  the  former  on 
vacuation  of  Ports 
Virginia  concentra- 
is  and  his.  army  dili- 
in  to  the  northward. 
I  gloomy  and  alarm- 
us,  the  army  much 
1  the  standards  of 
cessity  of  a  foreign 
application  for  both 
that  power  was  to 
r :  for  the  treasury 
irily  made  on  it,  and 
of  friendship,  how- 
lillions  of  livres,  and 
rmament. 

ted  to  the  command 
>n,  accompanied  by 
:es.  An  interview 
s  was  immediately 
5  movements  of  the 
wo  generals  met  at 

It  was  resolved  to 
:o  commence  vigor* 
u  station  was  esti> 


mated  at  only  4,500  men  ;  and  though  Sir  Henry  Clinton  miglit  be  able  m  rein- 
force it  with  5,000  or  (i,0(*0  militia,  yet  it  was  believed  '  could  not  niaiiituin 
the  post,  without  recdiling  a  considerable  part  of  his  trod^  roin  tlic  sou'.liwiird, 
u:id  enleebliiig  the  operations  ui'  tho  British  in  that  quarter ;  in  wliich  case  it 
was  resolved  to  make  a  vigorous  attack  on  the  point  which  presented  the  best 
prospect  of  success. 

Cieueral  Washington  immediately  required  the  states  of  New  England  to  hm  e 
5,0U0  militia  in  readiness  to  march,  wherever  they  might  be  called  for ;  und 
sent  an  account  of  the  conference  at  Wetherstield  to  congress.  His  despatch 
was  intercepted  in  the  Jerseys,  and  carried  to  iSir  Henry  Clinton  ;  who,  alarmed 
by  the  plan  which  it  disclosed,  made  the  requisition,  already  mentioned,  of  part 
uf  the  troops  under  Coriiwallis,  and  took  diligent  precautions  for  maintaining  Ins 
post  against  the  meditated  attack. 

.Meanwhile  the  several  states  of  the  Union  were  extremely  dilatory  in  furnish- 
ing their  contingents  of  troops,  and  it  was  found  dithcult  to  procure  subsistence 
tur  the  small  number  of  men  already  in  the  Held 

In  consequence  of  this  dilatory  spirit,  wiien  the  troops  left  their  winter  quar- 
ters in  the  month  of  June,  and  encamped  at  Peekskill,  the  army  under  Washing- 
ton  did  not  amount  to  5,000  men.  This  force  was  so  much  inferior  to  what  had 
been  contemplated  when  the  plan  of  operations  Wd.s  agreed  on  at  Wetherstield, 
that  it  became  doubtful  whether  it  would  be  expedient  to  adhere  to  that  plan, 
iiut  the  deficiency  of  the  American  force  was  in  some  measure  compensated  by 
the  arrival  at  Boston  of  a  reinforcement  of  1,500  men  to  the  army  under  Kocham- 
beau. 

The  hope  of  terminating  the  war  in  the  course  of  the  campaign,  encouraged 
the  states  to  make  some  exertions.  Small  as  was  their  military  force,  it  was 
tlifKcult  to  find  subsistence  for  the  troops  ;  and,  even  after  the  army  had  taken 
the  field,  there  was  reason  to  apprehend  that  it  would  be  obliged  to  abandon  the 
objects  of  the  campaign  for  want  of  provisions.  In  that  critical  juncture  of 
American  affairs,  when  the  government  was  without  money  and  without  credit, 
the  finances  of  the  Union  were  intrusted  to  Mr.  Robert  Morris,  a  member  of  con- 
gress for  Pennsylvania,  a  man  of  capital,  and  of  much  sagacity  and  mercantile 
enterprise.  He  extensively  pledged  his  personal  credit  for  articles  of  the  first 
necessity  to  the  army  ;  and,  by  an  honorable  fulfilment  of  his  engagements,  did 
much  to  restore  public  credit  and  confidence.  It  was  owing  mainly  to  his  ex- 
ertions that  the  active  and  decisive  operations  of  the  campaign  were  not  greatly 
impeded  or  entirely  defeated,  by  want  of  subsistence  to  the  army,  and  of  the 
means  of  transporting  military  stores. 

In  this  way,  and  by  a  liberal  and  judicious  application  of  his  own  resources 
an  individual  afforded  the  supplies  which  government  was  unable  to  furnish. 

'i'lie  French  troops  marched  from  Newport  and  Boston  toward  the  Hudson. 
Both  in  quarters  and  on  the  route  their  behavior  was  exemplary,  and  gained  the 
respect  and  good-will  of  the  inhabitants.  Toward  the  end  of  June,  General 
Washington  put  his  army  in  motion  ;  and,  learning  that  a  royal  detachment  had 
passed  into  the  Jerseys,  he  formed  a  plan  to  surprise  the  British  posts  on  the 
north  end  of  York  island  ;  but  it  did  not  succeed  ;  and  General  Lincoln,  who 
commanded  the  Americans,  being  attacked  by  a  strong  British  parly,  a  sharp 
conflict  ensued.  General  Washington  marched  with  his  main  body  to  support 
ins  detachment,  but  on  his  advance  the  British  retired  into  their  works  at  Kings- 
'iridge. 

Having  failed  in  his  design  of  surprising  the  British  posts.  General  Washing- 
'on  withdrew  to  Valentine's  hill,  and  afterward  to  Dobb's  ferry.  While  en- 
camped there,  on  the  6th  of  July,  the  van  of  the  long-expected  French  reinforce 
inents  was  seen  winding  down  the  neighboring  heights.     The  arrival  of  thof  i 


39P 


THE  PICTORIAL  IIlSTUin 


rrieiidly  struiigers  elevated  the  inimlit  ol' the  Aiiit^ricaiis,  who  received  them  wilt) 
sincere  ciiiigriitulutions.  Generul  Waaliiiigtoii  hibored,  by  p  thuiiuI  atteiitiuiiM, 
(u  conciliate  the  goud-will  o(  his  allies,  and  used  all  the  means  in  his  power  to 
prevent  those  mutual  jealousies  and  irritations  which  frequently  prevail  between 
iroops  ofdiirerent  nations  serving  in  the  same  army.  An  attack  on  New  York 
was  still  meditated,  and  every  exertion  made  to  prepare  for  its  execution ;  liui 
wiili  the  determination,  if  it  should  prove  impracticable,  vigorously  to  prosecute 
some  more  attainable  object. 

On  the  evening  of  the  21st  of  July,  the  greater  part  of  the  American  and  pan 
)f  the  French  troops  left  their  encampment ;  and,  marching  rapidly  during  the 
night,  appeared  in  order  of  battle  before  the  liritish  works  at  Kingsbridge,  at  four 
next  morning.  Generals  Washington  and  llochambeau,  with  the  general  olH- 
cers  and  engineers,  viewed  the  IJritish  lines,  in  their  wliole  extent,  from  right  to 
left,  and  the  same  was  again  done  next  morning.  Uut,  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
23d,  they  returned  to  their  former  encampment,  without  having  made  any  attempt 
on  the  British  works. 

At  that  time  the  new  levies  arrived  slowly  in  the  American  camp  ;  and  tnany 
of  those  who  were  sent  were  untit  for  active  service.  The  several  states  dis- 
covered mucii  oackwardne.is  in  complying  with  the  requisitions  of  congress,  so 
that  there  was  reason  to  apprehend  that  the  number  of  troops  necessary  for  be- 
sieging New  York  could  not  be  procured.  This  mad*  General  VVashingtou 
turn  his  thoughts  more  seriously  to  the  southward  than  ii"  had  hitherto  done; 
but  all  his  movements  confirmed  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  the  leliel  that  an  attack 
on  New  York  was  in  contemplation.  As  the  British  commander-in-chief,  how- 
ever, at  that  time  received  about  3,000  troops  from  Europe,  lie  thought  himself 
able  to  defend  his  post,  without  withdrawing  any  part  of  the  Ibrce  from  Virginia 
Therefore  he  countermanded  the  requisition  wliich  he  had  before  sent  to  Corii- 
wallis  for  part  of  the  troops  under  his  command.  The  troops  were  embarked 
before  the  arrival  of  the  counter  order ;  ami  of  their  embarcation  the  Marquis  do 
la  Fayeite  sent  notice  to  General  Washington.  On  the  recept'on  of  new  in- 
structions, however,  as  formerly  mentior-.ed,  they  were  relanded,  and  remained 
in  Virginia. 

No  great  operation  could  be  undertake.!  against  the  British  armies,  so  long 
as  their  navy  had  the  undisputed  command  of  the  coast,  and  of  the  great  naviga- 
ble rivers.  The  .Americans  had  accordingly  made  an  earnest  application  to  the 
court  of  France  for  such  a  fleet  as  might  be  capable  of  keeping  in  check  the 
British  navy  in  those  seas,  and  of  affording  etfectiial  assistance  to  the  land  forces. 
That  ;i(>plication  was  not  unsuccessful ;  and,  toward  the  middle  of  August,  the 
agreeable  information  was  received  of  the  approach  of  a  powarfnl  French  fleet 
to  the  American  coast. 

Early  in  March,  the  Count  de  Grasse  sailed  from  Brest  with  twenty-five 
•hips-of-the-line,  five  of  which  were  destined  for  the  East,  and  tv.renty  for  the 
West  Indies.  After  an  indecisive  encounter,  in  the  straits  of  St.  Lucie,  with 
Sir  Samuel  Hood,  whom  Sir  George  Rodney,  the  British  admiral  in  the  West 
Indies,  had  detached  to  intercept  him,  Count  de  Grasse  formed  a  junction  with 
the  ships  of  his  sovereign  on  that  station,  and  had  a  fleet  superior  to  that  of  the 
British  in  the  West  Indies.  De  G;isse  gave  the  Americans  notice  that  ho 
would  visit  their  coast  in  the  month  of  August,  and  take  his  station  in  Chesa- 
peake bay  ;  but  that  his  continuance  there  could  only  be  of  short  duration.  This 
despatch  at  once  determined  General  Washington's  resolution  with  respect  to 
the  main  point  of  attack  ;  and,  as  it  was  necessary  that  the  projected  operation 
should  be  accomplished  within  a  very  limited  time,  prompt  decision  and  inde- 
fatigable exertion  were  indispensable.  Though  it  was  now  finally  resolved  that 
Virginia  should  be  the  grai  d  scene  of  action,  yet  it  was  prudent  to  conceal  to 


r.t    IHK  AMKIUCAN   KKVoi.i      h)\. 


J'.<' 


eceiveil  them  with 
T><uiial  attuiitiuiis, 
IS  ill  his  power  to 
ly  prevail  betwei-ii 
icli  on  Nuw  York 
its  oxecutiun ;  hui 
lualy  to  prunecuie 

American  ami  pan 
apiJiy  during  the 
Cingsbridge,  at  four 

I  the  general  oth- 
xtunt,  from  right  to 
e  afternoon  of  the 
;  made  any  attempt 

camp ;  and  many 
leveral  states  dia- 
iis  of  congross,  so 

necessary  fur  be- 
neral  Washington 
ad  hitherto  done ; 
iet  that  an  attack 
ider-iii-chief,  how- 
le  thought  himself 
tree  from  Virginia 
ifuro  sent  to  Corn- 
s  were  embarked 
on  the  Marquis  de 
ept'on  of  new  iii- 
ded,  and  remained 

dt  armies,  so  long 
if  the  great  iiaviga- 
t  application  to  the 
•ing  in  check  the 
a  to  the  land  forces, 
idle  of  August,  the 
urful  French  fleet 

L  with  twenty-five 
id  twenty  for  the 
>f  St.  Lucie,  with 
niral  in  the  West 
ed  a  junction  with 
i;rior  to  that  of  the 
us  notice  that  ho 
station  in  Chesa- 
>rt  duration.     This 

II  with  respect  to 
irojected  operation 
ecision  and  iiide- 
iiially  resolved  that 
eut  to  conceal  to 


ihi  inst  inomHiit  this  ilctcr  niiiution  Iroiii  Sir  llt'iiry  C'liiitoii,  and  null  to  maun..   , 
'he  appt'iir.ince  of  tlirj'att-iiiiig  New  York. 

The  dflciicc  of  the  strong  posts  on  the  IIikInoii  or  North  riv«-r  was  iiitriiiiifil 
III  (ii'iicral  lit'atli,  who  Was  instructed  to  pruicct  tlie  adjacent  couiitrv  us  iar  't» 
lu?  was  able  ;  and  for  that  purpose  a  respectable  I'orcu  was  pu*.  under  iiis  coin- 
inand.  Every  preparation  of  which  circumstances  ailiiiilted  was  made  to  facili- 
talt  the  march  to  the  southward.  General  Washington  was  to  take  tlni  coin- 
inand  of  the  expedition,  and  to  employ  in  it  all  the  French  troops,  and  i  strong 
Jeiachmeiit  of  the  Aiiiericiin  army. 

On  the  19tli  of  August,  a  coiisulerable  corps  was  ordered  to  cross  the  liudsou 
it  |)obb's  ferry,  and  to  take  a  position  between  Springtield  and  Chatham,  where 
they  were  directed  to  cover  some  bakeliouses,  whidi  it  was  rumored  wv?re  to  b« 
imtnudiately  constructed  in  the  vicinity  of  those  places,  in  order  to  enco>:>age 
the  belit-f  that  there  the  troops  intended  to  estal)lish  a  permanent  post.  On  the 
'iUih  and  VJlst  the  main  body  of  the  Americans  passed  the  river  at  King's  ferry  - 
but  the  French  made  a  longer  circuit,  and  did  not  complete  the  passage  till  the 
25th.  Desinnis  of  concealing  his  object  as  long  as  possible.  General  Washing- 
tun  continued  his  march  some  time  in  such  a  direct'on  as  still  to  keep  up  the 
appearance  of  threatening  New  York.  When  concealment  was  no  longer  prac- 
ticable, he  marched  southward  with  the  utmost  celerity.  His  movements  had 
been  of  such  a  doubtful  nature,  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  it  is  said,  was  not  con- 
vinced of  his  real  destination  till  he  crossed  the  Delaware. 

Great  exertions  had  been  made  to  procure  funds  for  putting  the  army  in  mo- 
tion ;  but,  after  exhausting  every  other  resource,  General  Washington  was 
obliged  to  have  recourse  to  Count  Rochambeau  for  a  supply  of  cash,  which  ho 
received. 

On  the  30th  of  August,  at  three  in  the  afternoon,  the  combined  American  and 
French  armies  entered  Philadelphia,  where  they  weie  received  with  ringing  of 
bells,  firing  of  guns,  bonfires,  illuminations  at  night,  and  every  demonstration  of 
joy.  Meanwhile,  Count  de  Grasse,  with  3,000  troops  on  board,  sailed  from 
i>ape  Fran'.'uis  with  a  valuable  fleet  of  merchantmen,  which  he  conducted  out 
of  danger,  and  then  steered  for  Chesapeake  bay  with  twenty-eight  sail-of-the- 
line  and  several  frigates.  Toward  the  end  of  August  he  cast  anchor  just  within 
the  capes  extending  across  from  Cape  Henry  to  the  middle  ground.  There  an 
uflicer  from  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  waited  on  the  count,  and  gave  him  fuU 
information  concerning  the  posture  of  afl*air8  in  Virginia,  and  the  intended  plan 
:>f  operations  against  the  British  army  in  that  state. 

Cornwallis  was  diligently  fortifying  himself  at  York  and  Gloucester ;  the 
Vlarquis  de  la  Fayette  was  in  a  position  on  James  river  to  prevent  his  escape 
into  North  Carolina,  and  the  combined  army  was  hastening  southward  to  attack, 
him.  In  order  to  co-operate  against  Cornwallis,  De  Grasse  detached  four  ships- 
of-the-line  and  some  frigates  to  block  up  the  entrance  of  York  river,  and  to  carry 
the  land  forces  which  h>j  had  brought  with  him,  under  the  Marquis  de  St.  Simou, 
to  La  Fayette's  camp.     The  rest  of  his  fleet  remained  at  the  entrance  of  the  bay. 

Sir  George  Kodney,  who  commanded  the  British  fleet  in  the  West  Indies, 
was  not  ignorant  that  the  count  intended  to  sail  for  America  ;  but,  knowing  that 
the  merchant  vessels  which  he  convoyed  from  Cape  Franfois  were  loaded  with 
valuable  cargoes,  the  British  admiral  believed  that  he  would  send  the  greater 
part  of  his  fleet  along  with  them  to  Europe,  and  would  visit  the  American  coast 
with  a  small  squadron  only.  Accordingly,  Sir  George  Rodney  detached  Sir 
Samuel  Hood  with  fourteen  sail-of-the-Une  to  America,  as  a  suflicient  force  to 
counteract  the  operations  of  the  French  in  that  quarter.  Admiral  Hood  tts&chei 
the  capes  of  Virginia  on  the  25tb  of  August,  a  few  days  before  De  Grasse  ei> 


I'J 


I»K 


THE  PICTORIAL  IIISTOUY 


the  coinmand  of 
New  York  with 
in  a  cruise  near 
in- 


tereil  the  hay ,  and,  finding  no  enemy  there,  sailed  for  .Sandy   Hook,  wbi^re  ht 
arrived  on  the  'JSth  of  August. 

Admiral  (Jravcs,  who  had  succeeded  Admiral  Arbuthnot  in 
the  British  flt-et  on  the  American  statiop,  was  then  lying  at 
»cv('n  sail-of-the-line  ;  but  two  of  his  cliips  had  been  damaged 
Boston,  and  were  under  repair.  At  the  same  lime  that  Admiral  Hood  gave 
fonnation  of  the  expected  arrival  'A  l)e  Grasse  on  the  American  coast,  notice 
was  receive<l  of  the  sailing  of  De  Barras  with  his  fleet  from  Newfwrt.  Admir.ii 
Graves,  therefore,  without  waiting  for  his  two  ships  which  were  under  repair, 
put  to  sea  on  the  31st  of  August,  with  nineteen  sail-of-the-lino,  and  steered  to 
the  southward. 

On  reaching  the  capes  of  the  Chesapeake  early  on  the  morning  of  the  Jth  of 
September,  he  discovered  the  French  fleet,  consisting  of  twenty-four  ships-'jf- 
the-line,  lying  at  anchor  in  the  entrance  of  the  bay.  Neither  admiral  had  any 
previous  knowledge  of  the  vicinity  of  the  other  till  the  fleets  were  actually  seen, 
riie  British  stretched  into  the  bay :  and  soon  as  Count  de  Grasse  ascertained 
their  hostile  character,  he  ordered  his  ships  to  slip  their  cables,  form  the  line  as 
they  could  come  up,  without  regard  to  iheii  specified  stations,  and  put  to  sea. 
The  British  fleet  entering  the  bay,  and  the  French  leaving  it,  they  were  neces- 
sarily sailing  in  diflerent  directions  ;  but  Admiral  Graves  put  his  ships  on  the 
same  tack  with  the  French ;  and,  about  four  in  the  afternoon,  a  battle  began  be- 
tween the  van  and  centre  of  the  fleets,  which  continued  till  night.  Both 
sustained  considerable  damage.  The  fleets  continued  in  sight  of  each  other  for 
five  days  ;  but  De  Grasse's  object  was  not  to  fight  unless  to  cover  Chesapeake 
bay ;  and  Admiral  Graves,  owing  to  the  inferiority  of  his  force  and  the  ^rippled 
state  of  several  of  his  ships,  was  unable  to  compel  him  to  renew  the  engage- 
ment. 

On  the  1 0th,  Count  de  Grasse  bore  away  for  the  Chesapeake,  and  anchored 
within  the  capes  next  day,  when  he  had  the  satisfaction  to  find  that  Admiral  de 
Barras,  with  his  fleet  from  Newport,  and  fourteen  transports  laden  with  heavy 
artillery  and  other  military  stores  for  carrying  on  a  siege,  had  safely  arrived  du- 
ring his  absence.  That  oflicer  sailed  from  Newport  on  the  25th  of  August,  and, 
making  a  long  circuit  to  avoid  the  British,  entered  the  bay  while  the  contending 
fleets  were  at  sea.  Admiral  Graves  followed  the  French  fleet  to  the  Chesa- 
peake ;  but,  on  arriving  there,  he  found  the  entrance  guarded  by  a  force  with 
which  he  was  unable  to  contend.  He  then  sailed  for  New  York,  and  left  Count 
de  Grasse  in  the  undisputed  possession  of  the  bay. 

While  these  naval  operations  were  going  on,  the  land  forces  were  not  less  ac- 
tively employed  in  the  prosecution  of  their  respective  purposes.  The  immedi- 
ate aim  of  the  one  party  was  to  overwhelm  Cornwallis  and  his  army  at  York- 
town,  that  jf  the  other  to  rescue  him  from  their  grasp.  As  soon  as  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  was  convinced  of  General  Washington's  intentior.  of  proceeding  to  the 
southward,  with  a  view  to  bring  him  back,  he  employed  Arnold,  with  a  sufficient 
naval  and  military  force,  on  an  expedition  against  New  London.  Arnold  passed 
from  Long  Island,  and  on  tho  forenoon  of  the  6th  of  September  landed  his  troops 
on  both  sides  of  the  harbor ;  those  on  the  New  London  side  being  under  his 
own  immediate  orders,  and  those  on  the  Groton  side  commanded  by  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Eyre.  As  the  works  at  New  London  were  very  imperfect,  no  vigorous 
resistance  was  there  made,  and  the  place  was  taken  possession  of  with  little 
loss.  But  Fort  Griswolde,  on  the  Groton  side,  was  in  a  more  finished  state,  and 
the  small  garrison  made  a  desperate  defence.  The  British  entered  the  fort  at 
the  point  of  the  bayonet ;  when,  though  opposition  ceased,  a  murderous  carnage 
ensued.  Few  Americans  had  fallen  when  the  British  entered  the  works,  bu* 
eighty-five  were  killed,  sixty  wounded,  mosi  of  them  mortally,  and  the  remuo 


Hook,  wb»>re  h« 


the  coiiiniaiid  of 
New  York  with 
ill  a  cruiso  near 
1  IIooJ  gave  ill' 
can  coast,  notict* 
iwjMJrt.  Adinir.il 
ru  under  repair, 
I,  and  steered   lo 

ing  of  the  jth  of 
ity-four  8hip8-')f- 
admiral  had  any 
re  actually  seen. 
as8e  ascertained 

form  the  line  as 
and  put  to  sea. 
ihey  were  neces- 
his  ships  on  the 

battle  began  be- 
ill  night.  Both 
of  each  other  for 
^vev  Chesapeake 
and  the  crippled 
ew  the   engage- 

10,  and  anchored 
that  Admiral  de 
aden  with  heavy 
lafely  arrived  du- 
h  of  August,  and, 
e  the  contending 
t  to  the  Chesa- 
I  by  a  force  with 
k,  and  left  Count 

were  not  less  ac- 
I.  The  immedi- 
is  army  at  York- 
on  as  Sir  Henry 
)roceeding  to  the 

with  a  sufficient 
.  Arnold  passed 
landed  his  troops 

being  under  his 
d  by  Lieutenant- 
feet,  no  vigorous 
on  of  with  little 
nishcd  state,  and 
tered  the  fort  at 
irderous  carnage 
d  the  works,  bu* 
and  the  ren:ai.u> 


Bknkuict  Arnold  at  thb  Burning  of  New  London. 


11 


IS 


OF  THE  A}.?ERICAN   REVOLUTIDN. 


399 


iltT,  seventy  in  number,  were  made  prisoners.  The  loss  of  the  British  aus  con- 
sulerabie.  A  great  quantity  of  valuable  property  was  destroyed,  and  the  town 
much  injured. 

'.''he  loss  sustained  by  the  Americans  at  New  London  was  great ;  hut  that 
predatory  incursion  had  no  effect  in  diverting  General  Washington  from  his  pur- 
pose, or  in  retarding  his  march  southward.  From  Philadelphia  the  allied  ar- 
mies pursued  their  route,  partly  to  the  head  of  Elk  river,  which  falls  into  the 
northern  extremity  of  Chesapeake  bay,  and  partly  to  Baltimore,  at  which  places 
they  embarked  on  board  of  transports  furnished  by  the  French  fleet,  and  the  last 
division  of  them  landed  at  Williamsburgh  on  the  25th  of  September.  Generals 
Washington  and  Rochambeau,  and  their  attendants,  proceeded  to  the  same  place 
by  land,  and  reached  it  ten  days  before  the  troops.  Virginia  had  suffered  ex- 
remely  in  the  course  of  the  campaign  :  the  inhabitants  were  clamorous  for  the 
appearance  of  the  commander-in-chief  in  his  native  state,  and  hailed  liis  arrival 
with  acclamations  of  joy. 

Generals  Washington  and  Rochambeau  immediately  repaired  on  board  De 
Grasse'."«  ship,  in  order  to  concert  a  joint  plan  of  operations  against  Cornwallis. 
De  Grasse,  convinced  that  every  exertion  would  be  made  to  relieve  his  lordship, 
and  being  told  that  Admiral  Digby  had  arrived  at  New  York  with  a  reinforce- 
ment of  six  ships-of-the-line,  expected  to  be  attacked  by  a  force  little  inferior  to 
his  own  ;  and  deeming  the  station  which  he  then  occupied  unfavorable  to  a  na- 
val engagement,  he  was  strongly  inclined  to  leave  the  bay,  and  to  meet  the  en- 
emy in  the  open  sea.  General  Washington,  fully  aware  of  all  the  casualties 
which  might  occur  to  prevent  his  return,  and  to  defeat  the  previous  arrange- 
ments, used  every  argument  to  dissuade  the  French  admiral  from  his  purpose, 
and  prevailed  with  him  to  remain  in  the  bay. 

As  Count  de  Grasse  could  continue  only  a  short  time  on  that  station,  every 
exertion  was  made  to  proceed  against  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown,  a  small  village 
on  the  southern  bank  of  the  river  York,  in  which  ships-of-theline  can  ride  in 
perfect  safety.  A  long  peninsular  tract  of  land,  only  eight  miles  broad,  lies  be- 
tween James  and  York  rivers.  Opposite  Yorktown  is  Gloucester  point,  which 
projects  considerably  into  the  river,  the  breadth  of  which  at  that  place  does  not 
exceed  a  mile.  Cornwallis  had  taken  possession  of  both  these  places,  and  dili- 
jrently  fortified  'hem.  The  communication  between  them  was  commanded  by 
Ills  batteries,  and  by  some  ships-of-war  which  lay  in  the  river  under  cover  of 
hir  guns.  The  main  body  of  his  army  was  encamped  near  Yorktown,  beyond 
some  outer  redoubts  and  fieldworks  calculated  to  retard  the  approach  of  an  en- 
oniy.     Colonel  Tarleton,  with  600  or  700  men,  occupied  Gloucester  point. 

The  combined  army,  amounting  to  upward  of  11,000  men,  exclusive  of  the 
Virginia  militia,  was  assembled  in  the  vicinity  of  Williamsburgh ;  and  on  the 
morning  of  the  28th  of  September  marched  by  different  routes  toward  Yorktown. 
About  midday  the  heads  of  the  columns  reached  the  ground  assigned  them  ;  and, 
after  driving  in  the  outposts  and  some  cavalry,  encamped  for  the  night.  The 
Tiext  day  was  employed  in  viewing  the  British  works,  and  in  arranging  the  plan 
01  attack.  At  the  same  time  that  the  combined  army  encamped  before  Yorktown, 
the  French  fleet  anchored  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  completely  prevented 
the  British  from  escaping  by  water,  as  well  as  from  receiving  supplies  or  rein- 
forcements in  that  way.  The  legion  of  Lauzun  and  a  brigade  of  militia,  amount- 
ing to  upward  of  4,000  men,  commanded  by  the  French  General  de  Chois^,  were 
sent  across  the  river  to  watch  Gloucester  point,  and  to  enclose  the  British  on 
that  side. 

On  the  30th  Yorktown  was  invested.  The  French  troops  formed  the  left 
wing  of  the  combined  army,  extending  from  the  river  above  the  town  to  a  morass 
m  liront  of  it :  the  Americans  composed  the  right  wing,  and  occupied  the  ground 


*'-!i':i'3iSsss 


i'i'S^''' 


wiiiiiii ijimuii  - 


ffi,i;V:r 


M 


MM 


w 


> 

01 

z 

z 


H 

X 


t 


c 


•  iiwaiwiiWii'— i«W— «nwii«.'  m  » 


% 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


40i 


between  the  morass  and  the  river  below  the  town.  Till  the  6th  of  October 
the  besieging  army  was  assiduously  employed  in  disembarking  its  heavy  artil- 
lery jnd  military  stores,  and  in  conveying  them  to  camp  trom  the  landing  place 
in  James  river,  a  distance  of  six  miles. 

On  the  night  of  the  6th  the  first  parallel  was  begim,  600  yards  from  the  Brit- 
ish works.  The  night  was  dark,  rainy,  and  well  adapted  for  such  a  service ; 
and  in  the  course  of  it  the  besiegers  did  not  lose  a  man.  Their  operations  seem 
not  to  have  been  suspected  by  the  besieged  till  daylight  disclosed  them  in  the 
morning,  when  the  trenches  were  so  far  advanced  as  in  a  good  measure  to  cover 
the  workmen  from  the  fire  of  the  garrison.  By  the  afternoon  of  the  9th,  the  bat- 
teries were  completed,  notwithstanding  the  most  strenuous  opposition  from  the 
besieged,  and  immediately  opened  on  the  town.  From  that  time  an  incessant 
cannonade  was  kept  up ;  and  the  continual  discharge  of  shot  and  shells  from 
twenty-four  and  eighteen-pounders,  and  ten-inch  mortars,  damaged  the  unfinished 
works  on  the  left  of  the  town,  silenced  the  guns  mounted  on  them,  and  occasioned 
a  considerable  loss  of  men.  Some  of  the  shot  and  shells  from  the  batteries 
passed  over  tlie  town,  reached  the  shipping  in  the  harbor,  and  set  on  fire  the 
(/haron  of  forty-four  guns,  and  f^ree  large  transports,  which  were  entirely  con- 
lumed.    In  this  action  Alexander  Hamilton  distinguished  himself. 


Fia ,  163.— Monument  of  Hamil'on. 

On  the  night  of  the  11th,  the  besiegers,  laboring  with  indefatigable  perserer 
•nee,  began  their  second  parallel,  300  yards  nearer  tho  British  works  than  tht 
first ;  and  the  three  succeeding  days  were  assiduously  employed  in  completing 

26 


^--'ifi^.amiiiSii^.L 


■ff^^^Sfl^li^^Aii&^^^JiSiSi^^M'-- 


M 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


W3 


T^ 


H.  Puring  Uiat  interval  the  fire  of  the  Karnsoii  was  nioru  destruclive  than  at 
any  otiior  period  of  the  siege.  Tlie  men  in  the  trenches  were  particiihirly  an- 
noyed by  two  redoubts  toward  the  left  of  the  British  worivs,  and  about  200  yarda 
111  Vront  of  them.  Of  these  it  was  necessary  to  gain  posses.sion  ;  and  on  the  Mlh 
preparations  were  made  to  carry  them  both  liy  storm.  In  order  to  avail  himseii 
of  tbe  .'spirit  of  emulation  which  existed  between  the  troops  of  the  two  nations, 
and  to  avoid  any  cnise  of  jealousy  to  either,  the  attack  of  the  one  redoubt  was 
committed  to  the  French,  and  that  of  the  other  to  the  Americans.  The  latter 
were  commanded  by  the  Mrxrquis  de  la  Fayette,  and  the  former  by  the  Baron  de 
\  loininel. 

On  the  evening  of  the  14th,  as  soon  as  it  was  dark,  the  parties  marched  to 
the  assault  with  imloaded  arms.  The  redoubt  which  the  Americans  attacked 
was  defended  by  a  major,  some  inferior  oHicurs,  and  forty-five  privates.  The  as- 
saiiimts  advanced  with  suoh  rapidity,  without  returning  a  shot  to  the  heavy  fire 
with  wiiich  they  were  received,  that  in  a  few  minutes  they  were  in  possession 
of  the  work,  having  had  eight  men  killed,  and  twenty-eight  wounded,  in  the  at- 
iiick.  Eight  British  privates  were  killed  ;  the  major,  a  captain,  an  ensign,  and 
siveiiteen  privates,  were  made  prisoners.  The  rest  escaped.  Altliough  the 
Americans  were  highly  exasperated  by  the  recent  massacre  of  their  countrymen 
in  Tort  Griswolde  by  Arnold's  detachment,  yet  not  a  man  of  the  British  was  in- 
jiiri'd  after  resistance  ceased.  Retaliation  had  been  talked  of,  but  was  not  ex- 
ercised. 

The  French  party  advanced  with  equal  courage  and  rapidity,  and  were  suc- 
cessful ;  but  as  the  fortification  which  they  attacked  was  occupied  by  a  greater 
force,  the  defence  was  more  vigorous,  and  the  loss  of  the  assailants  more  se- 
vere. There  were  120  men  in  the  redoubt ;  of  whom  eighteen  were  killed,  and 
foriy-two  taken  prisoners  :  the  rest  made  their  escape.  The  French  lost  nearly 
lOOmen  killed  or  wounded.  During  the  night  these  two  redoubts  were  inclu- 
ded in  the  second  parallel ;  and,  in  the  couise  of  next  day,  some  howitzers  were 
})laced  on  them,  which  in  the  afternoon  opened  on  the  besieged. 

CornwalUs  and  his  garrison  had  done  all  that  brave  men  could  do  to  defend 
their  post.  But  the  industry  of  the  besiegers  was  persevering,  and  their  ap- 
proaches rapid.  The  condition  of  the  British  was  becoming  desperate.  In 
every  quarter  their  works  were  torn  to  pieces  by  the  fire  of  the  assailants.  The 
batteries  already  playing  upon  them  had  nearly  silenced  all  their  guns ;  and  the 
second  parahgl  was  about  to  open  on  them,  which  in  a  few  hours  would  render 
the  place  untenable. 

Owing  to  the  weakness  of  his  garrison,  occasioned  by  sickness  and  the  fire 
of  the  besiegers,  Cornwallis  could  not  spare  large  sallying  parlies  ;  but  in  the 
present  distressing  crisis,  he  resolved  to  make  every  effort  to  impede  the  prog- 
ress of  the  enemy,  and  to  preserve  his  post  to  the  last  extremity.  For  this  pur- 
jyose,  a  little  before  daybreak  on  the  morning  of  the  1 6ih  of  October,  about  350 
men,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Abercrombie,  sallied  out  against 
two  batteries,  which  seemed  in  the  greatest  state  of  forwardness.  They  at- 
tacked with  great  impetuosity,  killed  or  wounded  a  considerable  number  of  the 
French  troops  who  had  charge  of  the  works,  spiked  eleven  guns,  and  returned 
with  little  loss.  This  exploit  was  of  no  permanent  advantage  to  the  garrison 
for  the  guns,  having  been  hastily  spiked,  were  soon  again  rendered  fit  for 
service. 

About  four  in  the  afternoon  several  batteries  of  the  second  parallel  opened  on 
liie  garrison,  and  it  was  obvious  that,  in  the  course  of  next  day,  all  the  batteries 
of  that  parallel,  mounting  a  most  formidable  artillery,  would  be  ready  to  play  on  the 
town.  The  shattered  works  of  the  garrison  were  in  no  condition  to  sustain  such  a 
tremendous  fire,     in  the  whole  front  which  was  attacked  the  British  could  no 


M':-ijSie0^4»^ 


THE   PlCrOl^lAL  UISTOKY 


OF  THi:  AMKUKAN  KKVOF.rTION. 


403 


// 


/ 


«li()w  a  sirii;!*'  !>iin,  and  ilicir  sliclls  wcrt-  iit'.irly  cxliaustt'd.  In  this  vxiri-inity, 
!  'urn  wallis  liirini'd  tlic  despcralf  nsulutioii  of  crossiiiu  tin-  river  during  \\w  iii<{lil, 
\n\\\\  liis  cfTfitivf  I'"!,  and  attfnipi.in^  to  cscaiic  lo  ilie  norlliward.  His  plan  was, 
behind  lii>»  sick.  I>a!fi;a),'(\  and  a 


Id  leave 

wlio  ennmianded 

own  infai  try.  partis 


mcninliranres  ;  to  attack  I)i;  ("lioise, 
ij?  'lie  riloucester  side,  with  his  whole  I'orce  ;  to  niownt  his 
with  the  hostile  cavalry,  which  ho  liad  no  doubt  of  seizins;, 
iiiid  [lartly  with  such  horses  as  he  ini^ht  find  by  the  way  ;  to  hasten  toward  the 
lords  of  the  tireat  rivers  in  the  upper  country,  and  then,  turning  northward,  to 
pass  ihrouj^h  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Jerseys,  and  join  the  army  at 
New  York.  The  plan  was  hazardous,  and  presented  little  prospect  of  success ; 
hut  in  the  forlorn  circutustances  of  the  nrarrison,  anything  that  offered  a  glimpse 
of  iiope  was  reckoned  preferable  to  the  humiliation  of  an  immediate  surreniler. 

In  prosecution  of  this  perilous  enterprise,  the  light  infantry,most  of  the  guards, 
and  a  part  of  the  23d  regiment,  embarked  in  boats,  passed  the  river,  and  landed 
at  Gloucester  point  before  midnight.  A  storm  then  arose,  which  rendered  the 
return  of  the  b(»ats  and  the  transportation  of  the  rest  of  the  troops  equally  im- 
practicable. In  that  divided  state  of  the  British  forces,  the  morning  of  the  17th 
of  October  dawned,  wlien  the  batteries  of  the  combined  armies  opened  on  the 
garrison  at  Yorktown.  As  the  attempt  to  escape  was  entirely  defeated  by  the 
slorni,  the  troops  that  had  been  carried  to  Gloucester  point  were  brought  back 
in  the  course  of  the  forenoon,  without  much  loss,  though  the  passage  was  ex- 
posed to  the  artillery  of  the  besiegers.  The  British  works  were  in  ruins ;  the 
garrison  was  weakened  by  disease  and  death,  and  exhausted  by  incessant 
fatigue.  Every  ray  of  hope  was  extinguished.  It  would  have  been  madness 
any  longer  to  attempt  to  defend  the  post,  and  to  expose  the  brave  garrison  to  the 
danger  of  an  assault,  which  would  soon  have  been  made  on  the  place. 

At  ten  in  the  forenoon  of  the  17th,  Cornwallis  sent  out  a  flag  of  truce,  with  a 
letter  to  General  Washington,  proposing  a  cessation  of  hostilities  for  twenty-four 
hours,  in  order  to  give  time  to  adjust  terms  for  the  surrender  of  the  forts  at  York- 
town  and  Gloucester  point.  To  this  letter  the  American  general  immediately 
returned  an  answer,  expressing  his  ardent  desire  to  spare  the  further  effusion  of 
blood,  and  his  readiness  to  listen  to  such  terms  as  were  admissible  ;  but  that  he 
could  not  consent  to  lose  time  in  fruitless  negotiations,  and  desired  that,  previous 
to  the  meeting  of  commissioners,  his  lordship's  proposals  should  be  transmitted 
in  writing,  for  which  purpose  a  suspension  of  hostilities  for  two  hours  should  be 
granted.  The  terms  offered  by  Cornwallis,  although  not  all  deemed  admissible, 
were  such  as  iv.duced  the  opinion  that  no  great  difficulty  would  occur  in  adjust- 
ing the  condiiions  of  capitulation ;  and  the  suspension  of  hostilities  was  contin- 
ued through  the  night.  Meanwhile,  in  order  to  avind  the  delay  of  useless  dis- 
cussion. General  Washington  drew  up  and  transmitted  to  Cornwallis  such  arti- 
cles as  he  was  willing  to  grant,  informing  his  lordship  that,  if  he  approved  ol 
them,  commissioners  might  be  immediately  appointed  to  reduce  then  to  form. 
Accordingly.  Viscjunt  Noail'es  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Laureiis,  whose  father 
was  then  a  prisoner  in  the  tower  of  London,  on  the  18th  met  Colonel  Dundas 
and  Major  Koss  of  the  British  army  at  Moore's  house,  in  the  rear  of  the  first 
parallel.  They  prepared  a  rough  draught,  but  were  unable  definitely  to  arrange 
the  tenns  of  capitulation.  The  draught  was  to  be  submitted  to  Cornwallis  :  but 
n«reral  Washington,  resolved  to  admit  of  no  delay,  directed  the  articles  to  be 
transcribed  ;  and,  on  the  morning  of  the  19th,  sent  them  to  his  lordship,  with  a 
letter  expressing  his  expectation  that  they  would  be  signed  by  eleven,  and  that 
the  garrison  would  march  out  at  two  in  the  afternoon.  Finding  that  no  better 
terms  could  be  obtained,  Cornwallis,  on  the  19th  of  October,  surrendered  the 
posts  of  Yorktown  ard  Gloucester  point  to  the  combined  armies  of  America 
and  Fiance,  on  conditioh  the,',  his  troops  should  receive  the  same  honors  of  war 


•igii-^mmii^i»M^s^^iS§sii^^i^0^^MMS^^i!'i&sis^Bi 


fSa^^^K-ffiiij^iWlS'iiK** 


TT 


OF  THE  AMFRICAN  REVOLUTION. 


4f)r 


}>^ 


lT-3 


i 


$: 


I' A 


IT,' 


i> 


/ 


ft,) 


m. 


%II\ 


i 


M 


i 


ah 


J 


#hirh  had  been  itrutind  to  ilic  liurri^^oii  of  ('liiirli-Ninii,  wluii  i»  r.tirr«>ii<lcrr(l  to 
Sir  llniry  Clinton.  Tlif  .irmy,  iirtilliTV.  iirms,  ;icn»iitriiiiciiis,  militiirv  clH-st, 
Hiul  piiiilic  Htorej  (il  v\vr\  il>  scriptioii,  Wen*  Miirrrinlrrfd  to  (i<ii(T:il  \\  H>tliiii|r- 
.on  ;   ill*-  Hlii|)!t  ill  the  hurlior,  ami  llie  si-aint'ii,  to  (.'oiint  iIp  (irattxp. 

Coriiwallis  wislicd  to  ohtaiii  pfriiiissioii  lor  liis  i;iiro(icaii  troops  lo  return  hoiiif, 
oil  (-oiiditioii  of  not  serving  a^aiiiNi  America,  France,  or  their  allies,  (hiring  tliH 
\v;ir,  luit  this  was  refused  ;  and  it  was  agreed  that  they  should  remain  prisoners  of 
war  III  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  i'eimHylvaiiia,  accompanied  hy  a  due  proportion 
(if  otiicers  for  their  protecliun  and  government.  'I'he  liritisli  general  was  also 
desirous  of  Hccuring  from  pimishinent  such  .Americans  as  had  joined  the  royal 
•iiaiidard,  hut  tiiis  was  refusiMl,  cm  the  plea  that  it  was  a  point  which  l»'|iin<ji'd 
to  the  civil  authority,  ami  on  which  the  military  power  was  not  competent  to  de- 
cide. Hut  the  end  was  gained  in  an  indirect  way  ;  for  ('ornwnllis  was  permit- 
ted to  send  the  Honetta  »!:•  tp-of-war  unsearchi-d  to  New  York,  with  despatrhcs 
to  the  commutider-in-chief,  ai.d  tu  put  un  hoard  as  many  soldiers  as  ho  thought 
pro|u>r,  to  he  accounted  for  in  any  subsequent  exchang(\ 

The  officers  and  soldiers  wore  alloweii  to  retain  their  private  property.  Such 
olFicffrs  as  were  not  required  to  remain  with  the  troops  were  permitted  lo  return 
to  Europe,  or  to  reside  in  any  part  of  America  not  in  possession  of  the  Mritish 
troops.  The  garrison  marched  out  of  the  town  with  colors  cased,  and  witli  the 
drums  beating  a  British  or  German  march.  General  (.lincoln  was  appointed  to 
receive  the  surrender  in  precisely  the  same  way  in  which  his  own  had  been  re- 
ceived at  Charleston.  Exclusive  of  seamen,  nearly  7,000  persons  surrendered, 
about  4-,000  of  whom  were  lit  for  duty.  During  the  siege,  the  garrison  lost,  in 
killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  55'2  men. 

iiy  the  surrender  <>f  the  posts  of  Yorktown  and  Gloucester  point,  the  Ameri- 
cans gained  possession  of  a  large  train  of  artillery,  consisting  of  seventy-five 
brass  and  sixty-nine  iron  cannon,  howitzers,  and  mortars,  with  a  considerable 
((iiantity  of  arms,  an  unition,  military  storas,  and  provisions.  One  frigate,  two 
ships  of  twenty  guns  each,  a  number  of  transjiorts  and  other  vessels,  and  about 
1 ,5U0  seamen,  surrendered  to  Count  de  Grasse,  his  most  Christian  majesty's 
admiral.  The  combined  army  at  Yorktown  may  be  estimated  at  16,000  men  , 
consisting  of  7,000  French,  5,500  continentals,  and  3,500  militia.  Their  loss 
during  the  siege  amounted  to  about  300  killed  and  wounded. 

General  Washington  felt  all  the  importance  of  the  conquest  which  hu  had 
achieved.  His  troops  had  displayed  indefatigable  industry  joined  with  much 
bravery  ;  and,  in  general  orders  of  the  20th,  he  acknowledged  their  merits, 
thanking  all  the  officers  and  men  for  their  services.  The  engineers  and  artillery- 
men had  particularly  distinguished  themselves,  and  were  mentioned  in  terms  of 
high  commendation.  The  general  ofl'ered  his  best  acknowledgments  to  Count 
de  Kochambeau  and  his  officers  and  men  :  the  important  co-operation  of  Count 
de  Grasse  was  also  duly  appreciated.  The  capture  of  Comwallis  and  his  army 
raised  the  shout  of  triumph  and  joy  throughout  America,  particularly  in  Virginia  : 
it  was  like  the  exultation  of  a  pastoral  people  over  the  death  of  the  lion  which 
had  cruelly  ravaged  their  flocks,  and  spread  terror  through  their  dwellings. 

The  unfortunate  are  commonly  blamed,  and  their  want  of  success  imputed  to 
misconduct.  From  such  censure  Comwallis  has  not  escaped,  although  il  ii* 
ilifficuU  to  perceive  any  dia'Jnct  ground  for  blaming  his  military  career.  It  is 
easy  to  find  fault  on  the  retrospect  of  a  scries  of  events  after  they  are  past,  when 
.he  whole  can  be  contemj-lated  in  all  their  bearings  and  relations  ;  but  it  is  not 
so  easy  to  discern  the  wiiest  course  while  the  events  are  in  progress  and  the 
issue  uncertain.  Concerning  the  movement  of  Comwallis  from  Ramsay's  mills 
to  Cross  creek  and  Wilmington,  difTerent  opinions  may  be  entertained  ;  hut  his 
lordship  was  strongly  drawn  toward  Virginia  by  the   force   acting   there   under 


■  •i*!-MSiai/-:-0tli^a^^S^a=k:--if^^fstiSao'.»liiiflr.  ■ 


■«)S5S*S»>" 


.iM 


4  OP 


Tilt  PICTORIAL  IlKSTOHY 


Gtiiirals  Arnold  and  Philips ;  and,  after  he  entered  the  province,  he  did  all  that 
activity  could  perforin  to  attain  his  end.  If  he  had  been  to  leave  Virginia  itt  all, 
and  proceed  to  the  southward,  the  time  for  l)e)rinning  that  movement  was  when 
he  found  il  expedient  to  retire  from  the  vicinity  of  Albemarle  courthouse  ;  hut 
then  such  a  step  would,  in  all  probability,  have  been  generally  condciniied,  .iiul 
would  certainly  have  been  disagreeable  to  the  coininaiider-iii-chief,  who  purposed 
to  carry  on  vigorous  operations  in  that  ({uarter. 

After  Cornwallis  took  possession  of  Vorktown,  in  obedience,  as  he  thought, 
to  his  onlers,  retreat  became  nearly  impracticable  ;  for  the  Marquis  do  la  Fayctie 
look  post  on  James  river,  and  was  prepared  to  dispute  l)is  passage  southward 
and,  although  he  had  escaped  that  nol)leman,  yet  he  would  have  been  pursued 
and  also  obliged  to  encounter  General  Greene  at  the  passage  of  the  great  rivers 
which  lay  between  him  and  Charleston.  Besides,  he  was  encouraged  to  remain 
in  Virginia  by  the  promise  of  assistance,  which  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  unable 
to  afford  in  time  to  save  him. 

The  attack  on  Cornwallis  was  conceived  in  the  true  spirit  of  military  entei 
prise  ;  but  a  concurrence  of  many  favorable  circumstances  was  necessary  in 
order  to  its  successtul  execution.  It  was  a  combined  eflort  by  sea  and  land, 
carried  on  by  dirt'erent  leaders,  and  liable  to  the  uncertainly  of  winds  and  waves. 
Superiority  by  sea  was  indispensably  requisite  ;  and  the  whole  scheme  was  en- 
dangered by  the  appearance  of  Admiral  Hood  at  Chesapeake  bay.  The  arrival 
of  De  Harras,  the  return  of  De  Grasse  after  his  encounter  with  Admiral  Hood, 
all  combined  against  the  British,  who,  after  behaving  like  brave  men,  were  com- 
pelled to  surrender  themselves  prisoiiers-of-war. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  not  ignorant  of  the  perilous  situation  of  Cornwallis, 
and  was  anxious  to  relieve  him  :  but  the  fleet  had  sustained  considerable  damage 
in  the  battle  with  De  Grasse,  and  some  time  was  necessarily  spent  in  repairing 
it.  During  that  interval,  four  ships-of-the-line  arrived  from  Hurope  and  twc 
from  the  \Vest  Indies.  At  length  the  commander-in-chief  eii. liarked  with  7,000 
of  his  best  troops,  but  was  unable  to  sai".  from  Sandy  Hook  till  the  19th,  the  day 
on  which  Cornwallis  surrendered.  The  lieei,  consisting  of  twenty-five  ships- 
ol-the-line,  two  vessels  of  fifty  guns  each,  and  eight  frigates,  arrived  otT  the 
Chesapeake  on  the  24th,  when  the  commander-in-chief  had  the  mortification  to 
be  informed  of  the  event  of  the  19th. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


General  Washington  used  all  hi^  influence  to  detain  Count  de  Grasse  some 
'ime  longer  on  th«  coast,  to  assis)  in  the  reduction  of  Charleston  ;  but  the  orders 
of  his  V  urt,  ulterior  projects,  arii..  his  engagements  with  the  Spaniards,  pat  it 
out  of  the  po*«>r  of  the  French  admiral  to  continue  so  long  in  America  as  was 
reijuired.  He.  hwwever,  remained  some  days  in  the  bay,  in  order  to  cover  the 
eiiibwiTMtw  a<  th»  trwops  and  of  the  ordnance  to  be  conveyed  by  water  to  the 
head  of  ^be  Elk.  Some  brigades  proceeded  by  land  to  join  their  companions  at 
that  pia<  c.  SiHiie  cavalry  marched  to  join  General  Greene  ;  but  the  French 
troops,  under  ^  ount  Kochambeau,  remained  in  Virginia,  to  be  in  readiness  to 
march  to  the  south  or  north,  as  the  circumstances  of  the  next  campaign  might 
renjuire.  ()»  the  27th  i  e  troops  of  St.  Simon  began  to  embark,  in  order  trj  r«- 
Uirsi  to  the  West  Indies,  and  earlv  in  November  Coi;ntde  Grasse  sailed  f(»r  thai 


viiice,  he  ilid  all  Uiiu 
It'uvo  Virginia  iit  till, 
iiuveiiieiit  Wii8  when 
irle  courthouK; ;  hut 
Illy  coiidciniitid,  :iiiil 
i-chief,  who  purpuHod 

Fiice,  as  he  ihoiiglit, 
laniuis  dc  la  Faycttu 
passage  soiitiiwurd 
have  been  pursued 
o  ol"  the  great  riviTs 
lu-ouraged  to  reniaiii 
Cliutoii  was  unable 

rit  of  military  eutci 
was  necessary  in 
rt  by  sea  and  land, 
of  winds  and  waves. 
u)le  scheme  was  en- 
le  bay.  The  arrival 
with  Admiral  lluod, 
rave  men,  were  com- 

latiun  ot  Cornwallis, 
considtrable  damage 
ly  spent  in  repairing 
>m  Kurope  and  twc 
...mrked  with  7,000 
till  the  lyih,  the  day 
jf  twenty-live  ships- 
;att'8,  arrived  off  the 
i  the  murtiticatiun  to 


nt  de  Grasse  some 
jston  ;  but  the  orders 
he  Spaniards,  put  it 
in  America  as  was 
I  order  to  cover  the 
ed  by   water  to  the 

their  companions  at 
lie  ;  but  the   French 

be  in  readiness  to 
ext  campaign  might 
lark,  in  order  to  re- 
Grassn  sailed  for  thai 


I 


UF  THE  AMKKKAN   KFVOLl' I'lON. 


IOi» 


Suarttr.     (uMii-nil  WashmnKm  procffdfd  to  riiiladflphia,  where  lie  arri\ed  oi; 
le  -7th  of  November,  and  the   Miiniuis  de  la  Fayette  returned  to  I'.nrope. 

Till'  rapture  of  ('ornwallis  wiis  the  most  decisive  event  of  this  uioriiMis  war 
rile  military  operations  in  Amerira  were  afterward  l.in(.'uid  and  dcNultory  ;  few 
in  iiiunber.  and  unimportant  in  their  nature  ;  injurious  or  fatal,  indeed,  to  indi- 
vi(lii;i'is,  but  of  little  public  advantage  or  loss  to  either  of  ilie  contemlini;  parties. 

U  bile  General  Washington  was  marching  agaiiiKt  (Jornwallis,  the  loyalists 
of  North  Carolina,  under  .M'Neil  and  M'Dougall.  made  themselves  masters  of 
Hillsborough,  and  took  a  number  of  prisontTS.  .M'Neil  and  soiik;  ol'  his  fol- 
lowers were  killed  in  a  rencounter  with  tlm  friends  of  congress.  .M'Douyall 
w;is  j)nrsned  ;   but  effected  his  escape  with  a  number  of  prisoners  to  Wilmington. 

Late  ill  October  Mn)nr  lioss  made  an  incursion  into  the  country  on  tlie  .Mo- 
hawk at  till!  head  of  hOO  men,  regulars,  rangers,  and  Indians,  (.'oloiiel  Willet, 
with  about  an  eipial  force,  found  him  at  .lolmstown.  t\\\  engagement  ensued, 
M  lien  part  of  the  Americans  (leil  without  tiny  apparent  cause;  but  as  the  rest 
inaiiitained  their  ground,  the  Uritisli  retreated.  Willet,  with  a  select  party,  pur- 
sued them  ;  and,  on  the  morning  of  the  :iOtli,  overtook  their  rear  at  a  ford  on 
Canada  creek.  He  immediately  iittacked  them,  killed  a  number,  and  put  the 
rest  to  Hight.  Among  the  slain  was  Walter  Huiler,  who  perpetrated  the  niassa- 
ire  at  Cherry  Valley.  He  asked  quarter  ;  but  was  reminded  of  Cherry  Valley, 
and  instantly  despatched. 

The  convention  of  Saratoga  was  a  severe  blow  to  the  British  arms  ;  but  the 
surrender  of  Cornwallis  tit  Yorktown  was  still  more  decisive.  It  produced  a 
great  change  in  America,  and  gave  a  new  and  more  cheering  aspect  to  the  af- 
fairs of  the  Union,  in  the  early  part  of  the  year,  the  iause  of  the  states  was  in 
a  drooping  condition,  and  American  freedom  seemed  verging  to  ruin.  Congress 
was  surrounded  with  embarrassments,  and  victory  had  tied  from  their  standards. 
The  success  of  Morgan  at  the  Cow-Pens  and  the  exertions  of  Greene  dissipated 
the  gloom  in  the  south;  but,  i.i  the  middle  and  northern  provinces  nothing  had 
occurred  to  awaken  hope  and  stimulate  exertion.  The  capture,  however,  of 
Cornwallis  and  his  army,  which  was  achieved  by  a  remarkable  concurrence  of 
good  conduct  and  fortunate  circumstances,  altered  the  face  of  things.  Congress, 
the  state  governments,  and  all  the  classes  of  the  people,  exulted  with  joy.  A 
brighter  sun  shone  on  their  heads,  elevated  their  hopes,  and  invigorated  their 
exertioiw  The  clamors  of  the  discontented  were  silenced,  the  hearts  of  the 
de9|Kti,,li  4  reanimated,  and  the  wavering  confirmed  in  their  attachment  to  the 
I  ton.  \  new  impulse  was  given  to  the  public  mind;  but,  above  all,  the  ray 
(U  Nti>»  which  seemed  now  to  burst  through  the  gloom  of  war,  was  grateful  to 
4M>ir  !*ouls. 

If  ihe  effects  of  the  surrender  of  Yorktown  were  great  in  America,  they  were 
not  less  in  Europe.  The  government  and  people  of  Britain  entertained  the  most 
sanguine  hopes  from  the  operations  of  the  army  in  Virginia.  The  expense  of 
tli'>  war  was  heavy,  and  every  year  increasing.  The  people  murmured  under 
the  load  ;  but  were  encouraged  to  bear  with  patience,  in  the  hope  of  being  soon 
relieved,  and  ultimately  reimbursed  by  the  exclusive  trade  of  the  subjugated 
provinces.  Many  flattered  themselves  that  the  campaign  in  Virginia  would  an- 
nihilate the  power  of  congress,  and  put  an  end  to  the  contest. 

In  the  midst  of  these  fond  anticipations,  the  news  of  the  surrender  at  York- 
town  arrived,  and  struck  both  the  ministry  and  people  with  amazement  and  dis- 
may. The  blow  was  equally  severe  and  unexpected.  It  laid  their  towering 
hopes  in  the  dust,  and  filled  them  with  painful  apprehensions.  They  now  dis 
covered,  what  former  experience  had  been  unable  to  teach  them,  that  a  country 
may  be  overrun,  but  can  not  easily  be  subdued,  while  the  minds  of  the  people 
continue  hostile.     Tbev  who  before  disapproved  of  the  war  now  spoke  of  it  in 


«teiB'i5<Sy-<i';..<- 


'i7\i^->^^>-^^'.r-i^-*'^yYiti^-::-'^->i- 


410 


THE    PICTORIAL   HISTOxiY 


terms  of  the  strongest  reprobation,  and  many  who  formerly  had  given  it  then 
zealous  support  began  to  express  a  desire  of  peace.  The  public  mind  under- 
went a  great  change,  and  sentiments  which  not  long  before  met  only  with  scorn 
and  detestation  became  popular  and  fashionable  ;  such  a  fluctuating  thing  is  pub- 
lic opinion. 

Parliament  met  on  the  27th  of  November,  and  in  the  king's  speech  the  disas- 
ters in  America  were  not  dis'^embled,  but  were  urged  as  a  motive  fjr  the  vigor- 
ous prosecution  of  the  war.  Addresses,  in  the  usual  form,  were  moved  ;  which 
brought  on  animated  debates,  in  which  some  of  the  ministry  expressed  their  in- 
tention of  altering  the  plan  of  the  war,  and  of  merely  retaining  possession  of 
those  posts  which  they  held  in  America,  and  of  directing  their  main  efforts 
against  France,  Spain,  and  Holland.  In  both  houses  of  parliament  the  addresses 
were  carried  by  large  majorities.  About  that  time  Mr.  Laurens,  who  had  bee:i 
detained  a  close  prisoner  in  the  Tower,  of  which  Cornwallis  was  governor,  was 
released. 

Though  ministry  carried  the  address  by  triumphant  majorities,  yet  the  popu- 
lar feeling  became  strong  against  the  continuance  of  the  war.  The  lord  mayor 
and  aldermen  of  the  city  of  London,  a  great  influential  body,  whose  sentiments 
serve  as  a  sort  of  political  barometer,  the  indications  of  which  it  is  imprudent  to 
disregard,  voted  an  address  favorable  to  peace,  which,  owing  to  a  difl^erence  on 
a  point  of  ceremony,  was  not  presented,  but  it  was  published.  All  classes  be- 
came weary  of  the  protracted  struggle ;  the  house  of  commons  began  to  waver, 
and,  on  the  27th  of  February,  the  opposition  carried  an  address  against  the  pro« 
longation  of  the  war  in  America. 

We  now  return  to  America,  where  the  first  thing  that  meets  us  is  one  of  those 
painful  incidents  which  result  from  the  infuriated  passions  engendered  by  civil 
commotions.  On  the  24th  of  March,  Captain  Haddy,  who  commanded  the 
troops  in  a  blockhouse  on  the  river  Tom  in  New  Jersey,  was  attacked,  over- 
powered, and  made  prisoner  by  a  party  of  loyalists  from  New  York.  In  a  few 
days  afterward,  they  led  him  out  and  hanged  him,  with  a  label  on  his  breast  de- 
claring that  he  was  put  to  death  in  retaliation  for  some  of  their  brethren  who 
had  suffered  a  similar  fate.  General  Washington  took  up  the  matter  seriously  ; 
submitted  it  to  his  officers,  laid  it  before  congress,  and  wrote  to  the  British  gen- 
eral, demanding  that  the  perpetrators  of  the  horrid  deed  should  be  given  up,  and 
threatening  retaliation  in  case  of  refusal.  The  British  general  ordered  a  court- 
martial  to  inquire  into  the  offence.  It  acquitted  the  person  accused.  General 
Washington  ordered  a  British  prisoner  of  equal  rank  with  Haddy  to  be  chosen 
by  lot,  and  sent  to  Philadelphia,  that  he  might  suffer  as  a  retaliatory  victim. 
The  lot  fell  on  Captain  Asgill,  an  English  youth  of  only  nineteen  years  of  age, 
and  respectably  connected.  Great  interest  was  made  to  save  the  life  of  this 
young  gentleman  :  he  was  ultimately  set  free  ;  but  was  long  kept  in  a  state  of 
painful  suspense. 

During  winter,  the  states  labored  to  prepare  for  another  campaign  ;  but,  ow- 
ing to  the  exhaustion  of  the  country,  the  preparations  went  on  slowly.  Every 
one  wished  to  devolve  the  burden  on  his  neighbor,  and  every  state  seemed  afraid 
of  bearing  more  than  its  share  of  the  war.  Notwithstanding  the  late  success  in 
the  southern  states,  and  brilliant  issue  of  the  campaign  in  Virginia,  there  was 
much  disinclination  to  vigorous  exertions.  The  troops  were  few  in  number,  and 
almost  destitute  of  every  necessary.  Many  of  them  were  almost  naked,  and 
nearly  all  were  ill  fed.  Every  department  was  without  money  and  without 
credit.  Discontent  was  general  among  the  officers  and  soldiers,  and  severe 
measures  were  necessary  to  check  a  mutinous  spirit  in  the  army.  Fortunately 
for  America,  while  the  resource?  of  congress  were  exhausted,  and  everything 
was  hastening  to  ruin,  the  people  o''  Britain  also  had  become  weary  of  the  war, 


■?r 


had  given   it   then 

public  mind  undet- 

met  only  with  scorn 

;tuating  thing  is  pub> 

j's  speech  the  disas- 
motive  far  the  vigor  • 
wore  moved  ;  which 
f  expressed  their  in- 
ining  possession  of 
l  their  main  efforts 
lament  the  addresses 
rens,  who  had  been 
s  was  governor,  was 

rities,  yet  the  popu- 
ir.  The  lord  mayor 
y,  whose  sentiments 
ch  it  is  imprudent  to 
ig  to  a  difference  on 
id.  All  classes  be- 
ons  began  to  waver, 
ress  against  the  pro* 

3ts  us  is  one  of  those 
engendered  by  civil 
rho  commanded  the 
was  attacked,  over- 
w  York.  In  a  few 
bel  on  his  breast  de- 
their  brethren  who 
he  matter  seriously ; 
e  to  the  British  gen- 
luld  be  given  up,  and 
jral  ordered  a  court- 
I  accused.  General 
laddy  to  be  chosen 
a  retaliatory  victim, 
leteen  years  of  age, 
lave  the  life  of  this 
g  kept  in  a  state  of 

campaign  ;  but,  ow- 

on  slowly.     Every 

y  state  seemed  afraid 

g  the  late  success  in 

Virginia,  there   was 

e  few  in  number,  and 

3   almost  naked,  and 

money  and  without 

soldiers,  and  severe 

army.     Fortunately 

sted,  and  everything 

le  weary  of  the  war, 


^r 


OF  THE  A.MEKICAN  REVOLUTIO.N. 


411 


md  it  was  found  expedient  to  change  the  ministry.  The  new  sert'auts  of  th* 
crown  did  not  inherit  the  military  propensities  of  their  predecessors,  but  were 
inclined  to  conciliation  and  peace. 

One  of  the  last  acts  of  the  late  administration  was  to  appoint  Sir  Guy  Carletoi- 
afterward  Lord  Dorchester,  commander-in-chief  in  America,  in  the  room  of  Sii 
Henry  Clinton  ;  and  the  new  ministry  continued  him  in  that  high  office.  He 
took  the  command  at  New  York  early  in  May ;  and  being  also,  in  conjunction 
with  Admiral  Digby,  appointed  a  commissioner  to  negotiate  a  peace,  he  soon 
communicated  to  General  Washington  copies  of  the  votes  of  parliament  respect- 
ing peace  ;  and  also  a  bill  which  had  been  introduced  by  the  ministry  to  author- 
ize Ills  majesty  to  conclude  a  peace  with  the  colonies  of  North  America.  Those 
papers,  he  said,  manifested  the  dispositions  of  the  government  and  people  of 
Britain  toward  America ;  and  if  they  were  met  with  a  corresponding  temper 
both  inclination  and  duty  would  lead  him  to  act  "n  the  spirit  of  conciliation.  He 
had  addressed  to  congress,  he  said,  a  letter  containing  the  same  communica- 
tions ;  and  he  requested  of  General  Washington  a  passport  for  the  person  who 
was  to  deliver  it. 

The  American  commander  immediately  forwarded  the  communications  to  con 
gress ;  but  as  the  bill  to  enable  the  king  to  conclude  peace  with  America  had 
nut  then  passed  into  a  law  ;  as  there  was  no  assurance  that  the  present  commis- 
sioners were  empowered  to  offer  any  other  terms  than  those  which  had  been  al- 
ready rejected  ;  as  congress  was  suspicious  that  the  offers  were  merely  intended 
to  amuse  and  put  them  off  their  guard,  that  they  might  be  successfully  attacked 
when  reposing  in  security  ;  and  as  they  were  resolved  to  enter  into  no  separate 
treaty,  the  passport  was  refused.  Both  armies,  however,  lay  inactive.  There 
was  no  peace,  and  there  was  no  war.  Sir  Guy  Carleton  undertook  no  offensive 
operation  ;  and  the  army  of  General  Washington  was  too  feeble  to  attack  New 
York.     On  the  Hudson,  the  summer  passed  away  in  iiidctivity. 

Early  in  August,  General  Washington  received  a  letter  from  Sir  Guy  Carle- 
ton  and  Admiral  Digby,  informing  him  tJia*  negotiations  for  a  general  peace 
were  begun  at  Paris ;  that  the  indepe,idoiice  oi  the  thirteen  United  States  would 
be  acknowledged ;  that  Mr.  Laureas  was  set  at  liberty  ;  and  that  passports  were 
preparing  for  such  Americans  as  iiad  oeen  hitherto  detained  prisoners  in  Brit- 
ain.    This  letter  was  soon  folio^«i:d  by  another  from  Sir  Guy  Carlton,  in  which 
he  declared  that  he  no  longer  saw  any  object  of  contest,  and  therefore  disap- 
proved of  the  continuance  of  hostilities  either  by  sea  or  land,  as  tending  to  in- 
crease the  miseries  of  individuals,  without  any  public  advantage  to  either  party 
He  added,  that,  in  consequence  of  this  opinion,  he  had  restrained  the  practice  of 
detaching  Indian  parties  against  the  frontiers  of  the  United  States,  and  had  re- 
called those  which  were  in  the  field.     Those  communications  seem  to  have 
u  wakened  the  jealousy  of  the  French  minister  in  America  ;  and,  in  order  to  al 
lay  his  susj"<icion6,  cong.esd  renewed  its  resolution  not  to  outer  into  any  discus 
sion  for  a  pacification  but  in  concert  with  his  most  Christian  majesty. 

Although  the  inactivity  which  prevailed  in  the  north  was,  in  a  certain  meas- 
ure, commiinicatpu  to  the  southern  army,  yet  some  desultory  hostilities  happened 
in  that  quarter.  General  St.  Clair,  who  conducted  the  reinforcements  from 
Yorktown  toward  the  south,  reached  General  Greene's  headquarteis  early  in 
January.  He  had  been  ordered  to  take  the  post  of  Wilmington  on  his  way ;  but 
the  British  garrison  evacuated  that  place  before  his  arrival,  and  he  met  with  no 
detention  there. 

St.  Clair  experienced  no  hostile  interruption ;  the  number  of  his  troons,  how- 
ever was  so  much  diminished  by  the  casualties  of  a  long  march,  that  bis  rein- 
forcement did  little  more  than  supply  the  place  in  Greene's  army  of  those  sol 
diers  who  ha<'  been  entitled  to  their  discharge  on  the  last  day  of  December 


■-SSa^ 


..tSt«iti«^>»««SSii»4«&M^^tBIS>^a«'!^k%1>'«i^^ 


419 


THE  PICTORIAL  HISTORY 


But  feeble  as  the  southein  army  was,  yet,  on  St.  Clair's  arrival,  General  Greene 
detached  General  Wayne  across  the  Santee,  to  protect  the  state  of  Georgia.  On 
his  approach.  General  Clarke,  who  commanded  the  British  troops  in  that  prov- 
ince, amounting  to  about  1,000  regular  soldiers,  besides  militia,  concentrated  his 
force  in  the  town  of  Savannah.  Wayne  insulted  his  outposts,  and  some  sharp 
but  useless  skirmishes  ensued.  On  the  11  th  of  July,  the  garrison  evacuated  the 
town  of  Savannah,  and  retired  from  the  province. 

General  Leslie  commanded  in  Charleston,  atid  held  the  place  till  the  14ih  of 
December,  though  the  intention  of  evacuating  it  was  announced  in  the  general 
orders  of  the  7th  of  August.  In  that  interval.  General  Leslie  humanely  pro- 
posed to  General  Greene  a  suspension  of  hostilities  ;  to  which  the  stern  and  in- 
flexible American  did  not  consider  himself  empowered  to  accede.  In  the 
same  spirit  of  conciliation.  General  Leslie  ofl'ered  full  payment  for  rice  and  other 
provisions  sent  into  the  town,  but  threatened  to  take  them  without  compensation 
if  withheld.  General  Greene,  suspecting  that  it  was  intended  to  collect  a  large 
quantity  of  rice  in  Charleston  to  supply  the  army  while  it  acted  against  the 
French  islands  in  the  West  Indies,  declined  the  arrangement.  The  consequence 
was,  that  the  British  made  some  foraging  incursions  into  the  country,  and  skir- 
mishes ensued.  In  themselves  these  skirmishes  were  unimportant ;  but  they 
derived  a  lively  interest  from  the  death  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Laurens,  who  fell 
in  one  of  them,  to  the  deep  regret  of  his  countrymen,  among  whom  he  was  uni- 
versally esteemeu  and  beloved. 

While  the  Americans  slumbered  on  their  arms,  the  war  which  their  quarrel 
had  engendered  was  actively  carried  on  in  other  quarters  of  the  world.  In  the 
West  Indies  the  French  fleet  had  long  been  successful;  but,  on  the  12th  of 
April,  Count  de  Grasse  was  entirely  defeated  and  taken  prisoner  by  Admiral  Rod- 
ney, which  restored  the  balance  to  a  kind  of  equilibrium,  and  threatened  a  pro- 
longation of  the  struggle.  In  the  month  of  July,  the  French  army  in  Virginia 
marched  northward,  and  reached  the  states  of  New  England  in  October.  It 
was  given  out  that  they  were  to  winter  there  ;  but  the  real  intention  was  to 
transport  them  to  the  West  Indies,  for  which  purpose  the  Marquis  de  Vau- 
dreuil,  with  a  fleet  of  fifteen  sail-of-the-line,  arrived  at  Boston  on  the  lOth  of 
August,  By  the  long  continuance  of  the  contest,  and  by  mutual  reverses,  all 
parties  were  now  become  tired  of  war  and  desirous  of  peace.  Negotiations  for 
a  general  pacification  were  going  on  at  Paris,  but  were  protracted  by  the  mutual 
jealousies  and  interfering  claims  of  the  several  parties  interested.  Great  Brit- 
ain admitted  the  independence  of  the  thirteen  United  States,  and  so  removed  a 
great  cause  of  the  war  ;  but  the  boundaries  of  the  states,  and  'heir  share  in  the 
fisheries  on  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  were  not  so  easily  adjusted,  and  on 
both  of  these  points  France  and  Spain  seemed  unfriendly  to  the  wishes  of 
America. 

After  a  tedious  and  intricate  negotiation,  in  which  the  firmness,  judgment,  and 
penetration  of  the  American  commissioners,  were  exercised,  preliminary  articles 
of  peace  were  signed  on  the  30th  of  November  ;  and  news  of  the  conclusion  of 
a  general  peace  reached  the  United  States  early  next  April. 

A  line  running  through  the  middle  of  the  great  lakes  and  their  connecting 
waters,  and  from  a  certain  point  on  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  bottom  of  the  bay 
of  Fundy,  was  agreed  to  as  the  northern  boundary  »f  the  states  ;  and  their  west 
em  frontier  was  to  rest  on  the  Mississippi.  It  was  stipulated  that  British  cred 
iters  should  be  allowed  to  recover  their  debts  in  the  United  States  ;  that  con- 
gress should  recommend  to  the  several  states  the  restoration  of  the  estates  of 
real  British  subjects  which  had  been  confiscated  during  the  war  ;  and  that  no 
'urther  confiscations  should  be  made. 

On  the  19tli  of  April,  1783,  the  day  which  completed  the  eighth  year  of  the 


^T7 


OF  THfc;  AMERICAN  HKVOI.UTIOX. 


413 


iviil,  General  Greene 
slate  of  Georgia.  On 
h  troops  in  that  prov- 
itia,  concentrated  his 
).sts,  anil  some  sharp 
irrison  evacuated  the 

place  till  the  14ih  ot 
)unced  in  the  general 
eslie  humanely  pro- 
lich  the  stern  and  in- 
to accede.  In  the 
ent  for  rice  and  other 
without  compensation 
lied  to  collect  a  large 
it  acted  against  tliu 
It.  The  consequence 
he  country,  and  skir- 
nimportant ;  but  they 
iiel  Laurens,  who  fell 
ig  whom  he  was  uni- 

•  which  their  quarrel 
)f  the  world.  In  the 
but,  on  the  12th  of 
iner  by  Admiral  Rod- 
and  threatened  a  pro- 
nch  army  in  Virginia 
land  in  October.  It 
real  intention  was  to 
the  Marquis  de  Vau- 
3oston  on  the  10th  of 
y  mutual  reverses,  all 
ce.  Negotiations  for 
tracted  by  the  mutual 
crested.  Great  Brit- 
tcs,  and  so  removed  a 
and  'heir  share  in  the 
asily  adjusted,  and  on 
lly  to  the  wishes  of 

'mness,  judgment,  and 
i,  preliminary  articles 
i  of  the  conclusion  of 
1. 

i  and  their  connecting 
the  bottom  of  the  bay 
tates ;  and  their  west 
ited  that  British  cred 
ited  States  ;  that  con- 
ition  of  the  estates  of 
the  war  ;  and  that  no 

he  eighth  year  of  the 


I 

I 


!J 


., -.V' ',^l»#^i!5K!4S^*l^'iS*»*»«*''*-''^*'*^^ 


rli-^.Cr'.4dlrja,^»jMtrr«'SiiM'f'V,- ,-».,>,, 


4(4 


THE    PICTORIAI,    HISTORY 


war,  thfc  cessation  of  liostililies  with  Great  Hritaiii  was,  by  o.der  of  General 
Washington,  proclaimed  in  the  Americ;ui  camp.  A  immber  of  negroes,  who 
had  once  belonged  to  American  citizens,  were  sent  off  by  the  British.  Tliis 
produced  an  interview  between  Generals  Carletjn  and  Washington,  at  Tappaa, 
on  the  6th  of  May,  which  ended  w  ithout  any  decisive  resnit. 

On  the  25th  of  November  the  British  troops  evacuated  New  York,  and  an 
\nierican  detachment,  under  General  Knox,  took  possession  of  the  town.  Gen- 
eral Washington  and  Governor  Clinton,  accompanied  by  a  number  of  civil  and 
military  olTicers  and  respectable  citizens,  soon  afterward  entered  the  city ;  and 
the  Americans,  after  a  struggle  which  had  lasted  eight  years,  gained  full  and 
undisputed  possession  of  the  provinces. 

The  independence  of  the  United  Stales  was  acknowledged,  and  peace  vith 
Great  Britain  concluded  :  but  the  dangers  of  America  w  ere  not  at  an  end.  She 
nad  succeeded  in  repelling  foreign  aggression  ;  but  was  threatened  with  rum  by 
internal  dissension.  In  the  interval  between  the  cessation  of  hostilities  and  th» 
disbanding  of  the  troops,  congress  found  itself  in  a  trying  and  perilous  sifmtion. 
Their  army  was  in  a  state  of  high  dissatisfaction  and  irritation.  In  O.tober, 
1780,  a  season  of  danger  and  alarm,  congress  promised  half-pay  to  the  oiT"  ers 
on  the  conclusion  of  peace.  That  promise  they  now  seemed  neither  very  able 
nor  willing  to  perform.  The  danger  had  passed  away,  and  the  spirit  of 
liberality,  engendered  by  fear,  had  evaporated.  The  state  legislatures  affected 
much  jealousy  of  what  they  called  their  liberty,  but  discovered  little  inclination 
to  fulfil  (heir  obligations  to  those  who  had  been  instrumental  in  establishing  it. 
The  chicanery,  evasions,  anu  subterfuges  even  of  congress  deprived  it  of  the 
respect  and  sympathy  due  to  unsullied  honor  in  distress.  Spotless  integrity  is 
the  brightest  ornament  and  bost  shield  of  nations,  as  well  as  of  individuals.  The 
shuffling  policy  of  congress  roused  the  indignation  of  the  officers  of  the  army, 
many  of  whom  manifested  an  inclination  to  procure  redress  of  their  own  wrongs 
with  the  same  weapons  which  had  asserted  the  independence  of  their  country. 

In  the  month  of  December,  1782,  soon  after  going  into  winter  quarters,  the 
officers  presented  a  memorial  and  petition  to  congress,  and  deputed  a  committee 
of  their  number  to  call  its  attention  to  the  subject.  They  had  shed  their  blood, 
spent  their  time,  and  wasted  their  substance,  in  the  service  of  their  country. 
Large  arrears  were  due  to  them,  and  they  had  received  liberal  promises ;  b  *■ 
there  was  no  certain  prospect  that  the  arrears  would  ever  be  paid,  and  there 
*as  much  reason  to  suspect  that  there  was  no  serious  intention  to  perform  the 
promises.  After  all  their  sufferings  and  sacrifices,  they  had  nothing  before 
them  but  the  melancholy  prospect  of  being  discharged  with!>ut  even  money  to 
carry  them  t.  their  respective  homes,  and  of  being  cast  naked  on  the  world  and 
spending  old  age  in  penury  and  neglect,  after  having  lost  the  prime  of  life  in  vin- 
dicating the  claims  and  establishing  the  independence  of  an  ungrateful  people. 

To  men  wha  had  long  and  zealously  served  their  country  in  the  tnidst  of  the 
greatest  hardships  and  wants,  these  were  irritating  considerations.  Accordingly, 
eariy  in  March,  on  receiving  a  letter  from  their  connnittee  in  Philadelphia,  pur- 
porting that  their  solicitations  had  not  been  successful,  meetings  of  the  offi- 
cers were  held  to  consider  what  measures  should  be  adopted  for  obtaining  re- 
dress of  their  grievances.  An  ably  written  address  was  circulated  through  '.he 
army,  inviting  a  general  meeting  of  the  officers  at  a  given  time  and  place 

"  To  the  Officers  af  the  Army. 

"  Gentlemen  :    A  fellow-soldier,  whose    interests    and  affections   bind  him 

strongly  to  you,  v  hose  past  sufferings  ha»e  been  as  great,  and  whose  future  fortunes 

may  be  as  desperate  as  yours,  would  beg  leave  to  address  you.    Age  has  its  claims, 

*nd  rank  is  not  without  its  pretensions  to  advise  \  but,  though  unsupported  by  Doth 


s,  by  o.Jer  of  General 
iiiibor  of  negroes,  wIiq 
by  the  British.  This 
Vashington,  at  Tappan, 
nil. 

ted  New  York,  and  an 

jion  of  the  town.    Gen- 

•  a  nunil)er  of  civil  and 

entered  the  city  ;  and 

years,  gained  full  and 

ledged,  and  peace  viih 
re  not  at  an  end.  Siie 
hreatencd  with  rum  by 
)n  of  hostilities  and  the 
and  perilons  sifjation. 
irritation.  In  O.tober, 
half-pay  to  the  oiT^ers 
;met!  neither  very  able 
vay,  and  the  spirit  of 
te  legislatures  affected 
ovei-ed  little  inclination 
ental  in  establishing  it. 
ess  deprived  it  of  the 
Spotless  integrity  is 
13  of  individuals.  The 
e  officers  of  the  army, 
ss  of  their  own  wrongs 
Jence  of  their  country, 
to  winter  ijuarters,  the 
id  deputed  a  committee 
y  had  shed  their  blood, 
■vice  of  their  country. 
1  liberal  promises ;  b  ' 
ever  be  paid,  and  there 
nteniion  to  |)erform  the 
ey  had  nothing  before 
I'ithdut  even  money  to 
aked  on  the  world  and 
ihe  prime  of  life  in  vin- 
an  ungrateful  people, 
ry  in  the  midst  of  the 
erations.  Accordingly, 
e  in  Philadelphia,  pur- 
,  meetings  of  the  offi- 
)pted  for  obtaining  re- 
circulated through  '.he 
I  time  and  place 


id  affections  bind  him 
id  whose  future  fortunes 
)u.  Age  has  its  claims, 
rh  unsupported  by  oolh 


Fio.  ise.— Statue  of  Hamilton. 


..^"H»iVSaa.,iS- ■.-■,»..; 


im 


THE    PICTORIAL   HISTORY 


lie  flatters  himself  that  the  plain  language  of  sincerity  and  experience  will  nci 
ther  be  unheard  nor  unregarded. 

"  Like  many  of  you,  he  loved  private  life,  and  left  it  with  regret.  He  left  it, 
determined  to  retire  from  the  field  with  the  necessity  that  called  him  to  it,  and 
not  till  then — not  till  the  enemies  of  his  country,  the  slaves  of  power  and  the 
hirelings  of  injustice,  were  compelled  to  abandon  their  schemes,  and  acknow!- 
edge  America  as  terrib'.e  in  arms  as  she  had  been  humble  in  remonstranco 
With  this  object  in  view,  he  has  long  shared  in  your  toils  and  mingled  in  your 
'.langers.  He  has  felt  the  cold  hand  of  poverty  without  a  murmur,  and  has  seen 
the  insolence  of  wealth  without  a  sigh.  But,  too  much  under  the  direction  of 
his  wishes,  and  sometimes  weak  enough  to  mistake  desire  for  opinion,  he  \i.is 
till  lately,  very  lately,  believed  in  the  justice  of  his  country.  He  hoped  that,  as 
the  clouds  of  adversity  scattered,  and  as  the  sunshine  of  peace  and  belter  for- 
tune broke  in  upon  us,  the  coldness  and  severity  of  government  would  relax,  and 
that  more  than  justice,  that  gratitude,  would  blaze  forth  upon  those  hands  which 
had  upheld  her,  in  the  darkest  stages  of  her  passage,  from  impending  serwaide 
to  acknowledged  independence.  But  faith  has  its  limits  aa  well  as  temper,  anil 
there  are  points  beyond  which  neither  can  be  stretched  without  sinking  into 
cowardice  or  plunging  into  credulity.  This,  my  friends,  I  conceive  to  be  your 
situation.  Hurried  to  the  very  verge  of  both,  another  step  would  ruin  you  for 
ever.  To  be  tame  and  unprovoked  when  injuries  press  hard  upon  you,  is  more 
than  weakness ;  but  to  look  up  for  kinder  usage,  without  one  manly  effort  of 
your  own,  would  fix  your  character,  and  show  the  world  how  richly  you  deserve 
those  chains  you  broke.  To  guard  against  this  evil,  let  us  fake  a  review  of  the 
ground  upon  which  we  now  stand,  and  thence  carry  our  thoughts  forward  lor  a 
moment  into  the  unexplored  field  of  expedient.  After  a  pursuit  of  seven  long 
years,  the  object  for  which  we  set  out  is  at  length  brought  within  our  reach 
Yes,  my  friends,  that  suffering  courage  of  yours  was  active  once — it  has  con- 
ducted the  United  States  of  America  through  a  doubtful  and  a  bloody  war ; 
it  has  placed  her  in  the  chair  of  independence,  and  peace  returns  again — to  bless 
whom  ?  A  country  willing  to  redress  your  wrongs,  herish  your  worth,  and  re- 
ward your  services  ?  A  country  courting  your  retu  .  to  private  life  with  tears 
of  gratitude  and  smiles  of  admiration — longing  to  divide  with  you  the  indepen- 
dency which  your  gallantry  has  given,  and  those  riches  which  your  wounds 
have  preserved  ?  Is  this  the  case  ?  or  is  it  rather  a  cotmtry  that  tramples 
upon  your  rights,  disdains  your  cries,  and  insults  your  distresses  ?  Have  you 
not  more  than  once  suggested  your  wishes,  and  made  known  your  wan(s,  to 
congress — wants  and  wishes  which  gratitude  and  policy  should  have  anticipa- 
ted leather  than  evaded  ?  And  have  you  not  lately,  in  the  meek  language  of  en- 
treating memorials,  begged  from  their  justice  what  you  could  no  longer  expect 
from  their  favor  ?  How  have  you  been  answered  ?  Let  the  letter  which  you 
are  called  to  consider  to-morrow  reply. 

"  If  this  then  be  your  treatment  whih  the  swords  you  wear  are  necessary  for 
the  defence  of  America,  what  have  you  to  expect  from  peace,  when  your  voice 
shall  sink,  and  your  strength  dissipate,  by  division — when  those  very  swords,  the 
instruments  and  companions  of  your  glory,  shall  be  taken  from  your  sides,  and 
no  remaining  mark  of  military  distinction  left  but  your  wants,  infirmities,  and 
scars?  Can  you  then  consent  to  be  the  oidy  sufferers  by  this  revolution  ;  and, 
retiring  from  the  field,  grow  old  in  poverty,  wretchedness,  and  contempt  ?  Can 
you  consent  to  wade  through  the  vile  mire  of  dependancy,  and  owe  the  miserable 
renmant  of  that  life  to  charity,  which  has  hitherto  been  spent  in  honor  ?  If  you 
can,  go,  and  carry  with  you  the  jest  of  tories  and  the  scorn  of  whigs  ;  the  ridi- 
cule, and,  what  is  worse,  the  pity,  of  the  world  !  Go,  starve  and  be  forgotten ' 
But,  if  your  spirit  should  revolt  at  this — if  you  have  sense  enough  to  discover 


OF  'l"HR  A.\n:UICAN  KKVOLl'I'IOX. 


417 


ind  experience  will  ium 

vith  regret.     He  left  it, 
bat  called  him  to  't,  ainl 
aves   of  power  and  ilm 
schemes,  and  acknow!- 
jmble  in  remonstraiico 
s  and  mingled  in  your 
1  murmur,  and  has  seen 
I  under  the  direction  of 
sire  for  opinion,  he  lias 
try.     He  hoped  that,  as 
if  peace  and  belter  for- 
nment  would  relax,  and 
ipon  those  hands  which 
om  impending  serwiude 
a3  well  as  temper,  and 
ed  without  sinking  into 
I  conceive  to  be  your 
step  would  ruin  you  for 
hard  upon  you,  is  more 
out  one  manly  effort  of 
how  richly  you  deserve 
us  fake  a  review  of  the 
thoughts  forward  for  a 
a  pursuit  of  seven  long 
ought  within  our  reach 
ctive  once — it  has  con- 
ful  and  a  bloody  war ; 
returns  again — to  bless 
ish  your  worth,  and  re- 
private  life  with  tears 
with  you  the  indepen- 
es  which  your  wounds 
country  that  tramples 
listresses  ?     Have  you 
known  your  wanis,  to 
■  should  have  anticipa- 
!  meek  lantjuage  of  en- 
could  no  longer  expect 
t  the  letter  which  you 

wear  are  necessary  for 
leace,  when  your  voice 
I  those  very  swords,  the 
n  from  your  sides,  and 
'  wants,  infirmities,  and 
ly  this  revolution  ;  and, 
J,  and  contempt  ?  Can 
and  owe  the  miserable 
pent  in  honor  ?  If  you 
orn  of  whigs  ;  the  ridi- 
tarve  and  be  forgotten ' 
>se  enough  to  discover 


<.i;(l  spirit  enough  to  oppose  tyranny,  under  whatever  jjiirb  it  niuy  assume,  wli.'tlici 
it  be  the  plain  coat  of  republicanism  or  the  splendid  robe  of  royally — if  you  ha\e 
vet  learned  to  discriminate  between  a  people  and  a  cause,  between  men  and 
nriiiciples — awake,  attend  to  your  situation,  and  redress  yourselves!  If  the  pres- 
vi.i  'noineiil  be  lost,  every  future  effort  is  in  vain,  and  your  threa.s  then  will  lie 
as  empty  as  your  entreaties  now. 

"  I  would  advise  you,  therefore,  to  come  to  some  final  opinion  upon  wnat  you 
can  bear,  and  what  you  will  suffer.  If  your  determination  be  in  any  proportion 
to  j'tiur  wronjis,  carry  vour  appeal  from  the  justice,  to  the  fears,  of  go'ernmeiit. 
Cli'antjf  the  milk-and'-waifr  style  of  your  last  memorial;  assume  a  bolder  tone, 
decent,  but  lively,  spirited,  and  determined  ;  and  suspect  the  man  whu  would 
advise  to  more  moderaiioii  and  longer  forbearance.  Let  two  or  three  men,  who 
can  feel  as  well  as  write,  be  appointed  to  draw  up  your  last  remonstrance ;  foi  I 
would  no  longer  give  it  the  suing,  soft,  unsuccessful  epithet  of  rnrmorial.  Let 
it  lie  represented,  in  language  that  will  neither  dishonor  you  by  its  rudeness  noi 
betray  you  by  its  fears,  what  has  been  promised  by  congress,  and  what  has  been 
pcrfo'rtiied  ;  liow  long  and  how  patiently  you  have  suffered  ;  how  little  you  have 
asked,  and  how  much  of  that  little  has  been  denied.  Tell  them,  that  though 
you  were  the  first,  and  would  wish  to  be  the  last,  to  encounter  danger,  though 
despair  itself  can  never  drive  yon  into  dishonor,  it  may  drive  you  from  the  field  ; 
that  the  wound,  often  irritated,  and  never  heated,  may  at  length  become  incura 
lile  ;  and  that  the  slightest  mark  of  malignity  from  congress,  now,  must  operate 
like  the  grave,  and  part  you  for  ever.  That,  in  any  political  event,  the  army 
has  its  alternative  :  if  peace,  that  i  >thing  shall  separate  you  from  your  arms  but 
death  ;  if  war,  that,  courting  the  a  ^ces  and  inviting  the  directions  of  your  il- 
lustrious leader,  vou  will  retire  to  .^mc  unsettled  country,  smile  in  your  turn, 
and  •  mock  when'  their  fear  cometh  on.'  But  let  it  represent  also,  that  should 
they  comply  with  the  request  of  your  late  memorial,  it  would  make  you  more 
happy,  and  them  more  respectable.  That  while  war  should  continue,  you  would 
follow  their  standard  into  the  field  ;  and  when  it  came  to  an  end,  you  would 
withdraw  into  the  shade  of  private  life,  and  give  the  world  another  subject  of 
wonder  and  applause — an  army  victorious  over  its  enemies,  victorious  over  itself." 

General  Washington's  Speech  at  the  Meeting  of  Officers. 

"  Gentlemen  :  By  an  anonymous  summons  an  attempt  has  been  nade  to  con- 
vene you  together ;  how  inconsistent  with  the  rules  of  propriety,  how  unmilita- 
ry,  and  how  subversive  of  all  order  and  discipline,  let  the  good  sense  of  the 
army  decide.  In  the  moment  of  this  summons,  nother  anonymous  production 
was  sent  into  circulation,  addressed  more  to  the  feelings  and  passions  than  to 
the  judgment  of  the  army.  The  author  of  the  piece  is  entitled  to  much  credit 
for  the  goodness  of  his  pen  ;  and  I  could  wish  he  had  as  much  credit  for  the 
rectitude  of  his  heart:  for,  as  men  see  through  different  optics,  and  are  induced 
oy  the  reflecting  faculties  of  the  mind  to  use  different  means  to  attain  the  same 
•nd,  tile  author  of  the  address  should  have  had  more  charity  than  to  mark  for 
•uspicion  the  man  who  should  recommend  moderation  and  longer  forbearance  , 
or,  in  other  words,  who  should  not  think  as  he  thinks,  and  act  as  he  advises. 

"But  he  had  another  plan  in  view,  in  which  candor  and  liberality  of  sent i- 
ment,  regard  to  justice,  and  love  of  country,  have  no  part ;  and  he  was  right  to 
inaiiuiato  the  darkest  suspicion  to  effect  the  blackest  design.  That  the  address 
was  drawn  with  great  art,  and  is  designed  to  answer  the  most  insidious  pur- 
poses  ;  that  it  is  calculated  to  impress  the  mind  with  an  idea  of  premeditated  in- 
justice in  the  sovereign  power  of  the  United  States,  and  rouse  all  the  reser.i- 
ments  which  must  unavoidably  flow  from  such  a  belief;  that  the  fecret  mover 
3f  this  scheme,  whoever  he  may  be,  intended  to  take  advantage  of  the  passiont 

27 


■.ja*(«s3SE**^''i 


4ib 


THE  PICTORIAL  llisrohi' 


while  ihey  were  warmed  by  the  recollection  of  past  distresses,  without  givins; 
nmo  for  cool,  deliberative  thinking,  and  that  co'nposure  of  mind  wliich  is  so  ne- 
cessary to  give  dignity  and  stability  to  measures,  is  rendered  too  obvious,  by  ihe 
mode  of  conducting  the  business,  to  need  other  proofs  than  a  reference  to  the 
proceedings. 

"  Thus  much,  gentlemen,  I  have  thought  it  incumbent  on  me  to  observe  to 
vou,  to  show  upon  wliat  principles  I  opposed  the  irregular  and  hasty  meetino 
wb'ch  was  proposed  to  have  been  held  on  Tuesday  last,  and  not  because  1 
wanted  a  disposition  to  give  you  every  opportunity,  consistent  with  your  own 
honor  and  the  dignity  of  the  army,  to  make  known  your  grievances.  If  my 
conduct,  therefore,  has  not  evinced  to  you  that  I  have  been  a  faithful  friend 
to  the  army,  my  declaration  of  it  at  this  time  would  be  equally  unavailing  and 
improper.  But,  as  I  was  among  the  first  who  embarked  in  the  cause  of  our 
common  country  ;  as  1  have  never  left  your  side  one  moment,  but  when  called 
from  you  on  public  duty  ;  as  I  have  been  the  constant  companion  and  witness 
of  your  distresses,  and  not  among  the  last  to  feel  and  acknowledge  your  merits; 
as  I  have  ever  considered  my  own  military  reputation  as  inseparably  connected 
with  that  of  the  army  ;  as  my  heart  has  ever  expanded  with  joy  when  I  have 
heard  its  praises,  and  my  indignation  has  arisen  when  the  mouth  of  detraction 
has  been  opened  against  it ;  it  can  scarcely  be  supposed,  at  this  stage  of  the 
war,  that  I  am  indifferent  to  its  interests.  But  how  are  they  to  be  promoted  ? 
The  way  is  plain,  says  the  anonymous  addresser.  If  war  continues,  remove 
into  the  unst  ttled  country ;  there  establish  yourselves,  and  leave  an  ungrateful 
country  to  defend  itself^  But  who  are  they  to  defend  ?  Our  wives,  our  chil- 
dren, our  farms,  and  other  property  which  we  leave  behind  us  ?  or,  in  this  state 
of  hostile  preparation,  are  we  to  take  the  first  two  (the  latter  can  not  be  re- 
moved), to  perish  in  the  wilderness  with  hunger,  cold,  and  nakedness  ? 

"If  peace  takes  place,  never  sheath  your  swords,  says  he,  until  you  have  ob- 
tained full  and  ample  justice.  This  dreadful  alternative  of  either  deserting  our 
country  in  the  extremest  hour  of  her  distress,  or  turning  our  arms  against  it, 
which  is  the  apparent  object,  unless  congress  can  be  compelled  into  instant  com- 
pliance, has  something  so  shocking  in  it,  that  humanity  revolts  at  the  idea.  My 
God  !  what  can  this  writer  have  in  view  by  recommending  such  measures  ?  Can 
he  be  a  friend  to  the  army  ?  Can  he  be  a  friend  to  this  country  ?  Rather,  is 
he  not  an  insidious  foe  ;  some  emissary,  perhaps,  from  New  York,  plotting  the 
ruin  of  both,  by  sowing  the  seeds  of  discord  and  separation  between  the  civil 
and  military  pov/ers  of  the  continent  ?  And  what  a  compliment  does  he  pay 
to  our  understandings,  when  he  recommends  measures,  in  either  alternative,  im- 
practicablij  in  their  nature  ? 

"  But  here,  gentlemen,  I  will  drop  the  curtain,  because  it  would  be  as  impru 
dent  in  me  to  assign  my  reasons  for  this  opinion,  as  it  would  be  insulting  to  yout 
conception  to  suppose  you  stood  in  need  of  them.  A  moment's  reflection  will 
convince  every  dispassionate  mind  of  the  physical  impossibility  of  carrying  either 
proposal  into  execution.  There  might,  gentlemen,  be  an  impropriety  in  my  ta 
king  notice,  in  this  address  to  you,  of  an  anonymous  production  ;  but  the  man 
nor  in  which  that  performance  has  been  introduced  to  the  army,  the  effect  it  was 
intended  to  have,  together  with  some  other  circumstances,  will  amply  justify  my 
observation  on  the  tendency  of  that  writing. 

"  With  respect  to  the  advice  given  by  the  author,  to  suspect  the  man  who 
should  recommend  moderate  measures,  I  spurn  it,  as  every  man,  who  regard* 
that  liberty  and  reveres  that  justice  for  which  we  contend,  undoubtedly  must ;  for 
if  men  are  to  be  precluded  from  offering  their  sentiments  on  a  matter  which  mav 
involve  the  most  serious  and  alarming  consennences  that  can  invite  the  consid 
era  lion  of  mankind,  reasor.  is  of  no  use  to  us.     'I'he  freedom  of  speech  mav 


sses,  without  givinj; 
liiiil  wliich  is  so  no- 
1  too  nl)vious,  by  ihe 
.n  a  reference  to  the 

n  me  to  observe  to 
and  hasty  meetino 
and  not  because  I 
stent  with  your  own 
grievances.  If  my 
en  a  faithful  friend 
ually  unavailing  and 
in  the  cause  of  our 
ent,  but  when  called 
npanion  and  witness 
w ledge  your  merits; 
separably  connected 
th  joy  when  I  have 
mouth  of  detraction 
It  this  stage  of  the 
3y  to  be  promoted  ? 
r  continues,  remove 
leave  an  ungrateful 
Our  wives,  our  chil- 
us  ?  or,  in  this  state 
Mer  can  not  be  re- 
akedness  ? 

until  you  have  ob- 
either  deserting  our 
lur  arms  against  it, 
led  into  instant  com- 
)lts  at  the  idea.  My 
uch  measures  ?  Can 
ountry  ?  Rather,  is 
w  York,  plotting  the 
)n  between  the  civil 
liment  does  he  pay 
ither  alternative,  im> 

would  be  aa  impru 
[  be  insulting  to  your 
nent'a  reflection  will 
ity  of  carrying  either 
^propriety  in  my  ta 
iction  ;  but  the  man 
my,  the  eflfect  it  was 
rill  amply  justify  my 

spect  the  man  who 
■y  man,  who  regardi 
doubtedly  must ;  for 
a  matter  which  ma> 
n  invite  the  consid 
lom  of  speech  mav 


TT 


if"!j»,^«»i3S«3»i' 


■  *;-'-kViii'..'',.i/A**'>-*'5w   -» 


*„'(» 


niK  picrouiAi.  iiisi'ouv 


be  tiiken  nwny  mid  iliiiiil)  mul  silent  vv«'  mmv  lit-  li'd  like  .sliiteji  to  the  sluii{{h 
ti'l.  I  ciiti  not  ill  jiiMticf  to  my  <im  ii  liilid,  ami  vvliat  I  liavc  jirrat  rt'iiNoii  to  con 
reive  is  tlic  inlriitioii  of  foiii.'rt's>*,  i  inlinlc  lliis  adciii'Ms,  wiiliniir  i;iviiij;  ii  as  mv 
{leri(l(Mi  opinion,  thai  tli  ii  InMioralilr  l>oily  entiTtain  cxaltfil  si'iiliiiifnis  ol'  the 
services  of  the  army,  and,  I'rom  a  full  cuiivictiDn  ul' its  ineritii  uml  MiiHiringM,  will 
do  it  complete  ju.Miee.  That  tlieir  eiideaMirs  to  discover  and  estahlisli  liiiids  I'oi 
this  piirpos*:  liiive  heeii  imwearted,  and  will  nut  <'ease  till  lliey  have  succeeded, 
I  have  not  a  dm  I  ;  Init,  like  all  other  larye  Imdies,  wiiere  theri;  is  a  variety  ot 
diflerent  interests  to  reconcile,  their  deterinin  itions  ar<!  slow.  \\  liy,  then, 
sliould  we  distrust  them  ;  tiiid,  in  t'oimeijuenee  of  that  distrust,  adopt  meaNiiresj 
which  may  cast  a  sliade  over  tiiat  glory  winch  has  heeii  so  justly  ac(|uire(l,  and 
tarnish  the  reputation  of  an  army  which  is  celelirated  through  all  Kurope  lor  its 
fortitude  and  patriotism  ?  And  for  what  is  this  done  ?  'I'o  hring  the  object  wi: 
seek  nearer  ?  No  ;  most  certainly,  in  my  opinion,  it  will  cast  it  at  a  greater 
distance.  For  myself  (and  I  take  no  merit  for  giving  tlie  assurance,  being  in- 
duced to  it  from  principles  of  gratitude,  veracity,  and  justice,  and  a  grateful 
jiense  of  the  confideiKe  you  have  ever  placed  in  ine),  a  recollection  of  the  cheer- 
ful assistance  and  prompt  ol)edieiice  I  have  experienced  from  you  under  every 
vicissitude  of  fortune,  and  the  sincere  atfectioii  I  feel  for  an  army  1  have  so  long 
had  the  honor  to  coininand,  will  oblige  ine  to  declare,  in  this  public  and  solemn 
maimer,  that  in  the  attainment  of  complete  justice  for  all  your  toils  and  dangers, 
and  in  the  gratification  of  every  wish,  so  iat  as  may  be  done  consistently  with 
the  great  duty  I  owe  to  my  country,  and  those  powers  we  are  bound  to  resp^c;, 
you  may  freely  command  my  services  to  the  utmost  extent  of  my  abilities. 

"  While  I  give  you  these  assurances,  and  pledge  myself  in  the  most  unequiv- 
ocal manner  to  exert  whatsver  abilities  I  am  possessed  of  in  your  favor,  let  me 
entreat  you,  gentlemen,  on  your  part,  not  to  take  any  measures  which,  viewed 
in  the  calm  'ight  of  reason,  will  lessen  the  dignity,  and  sully  the  glory,  you  have 
hitherto  maintained.  Let  me  request  you  to  rely  on  the  plighted  faith  of  your 
country,  and  place  a  full  confidence  in  the  purity  of  the  intentions  of  congress, 
that,  previous  to  your  dissolution  as  an  army,  they  will  cause  all  your  accounts 
to  be  fairly  liquidated,  as  directed  in  the  resolutions  which  were  published  to 
you  two  days  ago ;  and  that  they  will  adopt  the  most  eflectual  measures  in  theii 
power  to  render  ample  justice  to  you  for  your  faithful  and  meritorious  services 
And  let  me  conjure  you,  in  the  name  of  our  common  country,  as  you  value  your 
own  sacred  honor,  as  you  respect  the  rights  of  humanity,  and  as  you  regard  the 
military  and  national  character  of  Atnerica,  to  express  your  utmost  horror  and 
detestation  of  the  man  who  wishes,  under  any  specious  pretences,  to  overturn 
the  liberties  of  our  country  ;  and  who  wickedly  attempts  to  open  the  flood-gates 
of  civil  discord,  and  deluge  our  rising  empire  in  blood. 

"  By  thus  determining,  and  thus  acting,  you  will  pursue  the  plain  and  direct 
road  to  the  attainment  of  your  wishes  ;  you  will  defeat  the  insidious  designs  of 
our  enemies,  who  are  compelled  to  resort  from  open  force  to  secret  artifice  ;  you 
will  give  one  more  distinguished  proof  of  unexampled  patriotism  and  patient  vir- 
tue rising  superior  to  the  pressure  of  the  most  complicated  sufl'erings  ;  and  you 
will,  by  the  dignity  of  your  conduct,  afford  occasion  for  posterity  to  say,  when 
speaking  of  the  glorious  example  you  have  exhibited  to  mankind :  '  Had  this  day 
been  wanting,  the  world  had  never  seen  the  last  stage  of  perfection  to  which 
human  nature  is  capable  of  attaining.'  " 

That  eloquent  and  impassioned  production  greatly  increased  the  sensation 
which  before  existed  :  the  crisis  was  alarming.  Even  in  the  army  of  a  firmly 
established  government,  such  a  general  spirit  of  dissatisfaction  would  have  been 
unpleasant ;  but  in  a  new,  fe'<.*ble,  and  tottering  governnaent,  and  in  an  army  ill 
trained  to  strict  subordination,  the  occurrence   was  fir   more  formidable.     Tha 


iM'|i  to  the  slungU 
ircai  rt'iiHon  to  con 

HI'lltlllK'lllH  III'  iht- 
.'Hill  Mllll'l  riiij^'M,  will 

cstulilisli  ItiiiilK  Idi 
■y  have  Niircci'dril, 
ire  i«t  ;i  viiriotv  ol 
«li»\v.  W'liy,  tlicn, 
.St,  iiilopt  MKMMires 
iisily  nci|iiire(l,  mid 
li  iill  Eiiri>p«!  lor  ii.s 
ring  lliH  ol)jecl  we 
St  It  at  a  greater 
ittiiraiice,  Ixung  iu- 
ice,  and  a  grateful 
ectioii  of  the  cheer- 
in  you  under  every 
rmy  I  have  su  long 

piililic  and  solemn 
r  toils  and  dangers, 
e  consistetitly  with 
e  bound  to  re8{Mc:, 
my  abilities. 
I  the  most  unequiv- 
your  favor,  let  me 
res  which,  viewed 
the  glory,  you  have 
;hted  faith  of  your 
ntions  of  congress, 

all  your  accounts 
were  published  to 
J  measures  in  theii 
eritorious  services 
,  as  you  value  your 
1  as  you  regard  the 
utmost  horror  and 
itences,  to  overturn 
ipen  the  flood-gates 

e  plain  and  direct 
nsidious  designs  of 
secret  artifice  ;  you 
ism  and  patient  vir- 
utl'erings  ;  and  you 
erity  to  say,  when 
ind  :  '  Had  this  day 
erfecfion  to  which 

ased  the  sensation 
le  army  of  a  firmly 
>n  would  have  been 
ind  in  an  armv  ill 
I  formidable.     Th« 


.;il:%4Smii 


.rji..^.\Al^Hfl?*lw*fiBlt»>l»-^* 


«w 


THK   I'IcroUIAL  HISTOKY 


nujjiicious  (;t'n«'ral  Wasliin^toii  rli-arly  saw  tlin  iliiiij(er,  uiiJ  prohibiieil  the  pio- 
posed  iiiKeliag  ,  1)111,  iK-emiiig  it  safer  lo  ilirnct  ami  weaken  llu!  curreiii  tliaii  irn- 
iiiedialuly  to  ojiposc  it,  lie  appointed  ;i  sinular  inecting  on  a  subsi'ipnnt  day 
Uunt'ral  Gates,  as  tlie  seiuor  ofliccr  of  rank,  presided.  General  VVasliingtoa 
who  had  been  diligent  in  |)ropariiii,'  the  minds  of  the  officers  for  the  occasion, 
addressed  the  assembly,  sirongiy  combated  the  address,  aiicl  by  his  sound  rea- 
■oiling  and  high  inHuenlial  diaracter,  succeeded  in  dissipating  the  storm. 

These  proceediiiifs  of  the  officers  induced  congress  to  pay  some  regard  to  ita 
promises,  and  to  commute  tlie  iialf-pay  for  a  sum  equal  lo  five  years'  full  pay. 
It  was  insulted  by  a  liody  of  lately-raised  troops  of  Pennsylvania,  and  much  agi- 
tadon  prevailed  in  the  army.  Uul  as  the  dread  of  foreign  enemies  subsided, 
ihe  state  governments  became  careless  of  the  claims  and  comfort  of  their  deleiul- 
ers.  To  di.-*band  an  army  in  a  stale  of  irritaiion,  and  lo  which  large  arrears 
were  due,  many  of  whom  had  not  money  to  supply  their  most  pressing  wants, 
or  lo  defray  their  expenses  on  the  way  home,  was  a  dangerous  experiineiii ;  but 
il  was  ultimately  executed  without  any  convulsion. 

General  Washington's  military  career  was  now  about  to  close  ;  and,  on  the 
4lh  of  December,  he  met  the  principal  officers  of  the  army  at  Frances'  tavern. 
The  officers  assembled  at  noon,  and  their  revered  and  beloved  commander  soon 
entered  the  room.  His  emotions  were  too  strong  to  be  concealed :  filling  a 
glass,  and  addressing  the  officers,  he  said  :  "  With  a  heart  full  of  love  and  grati- 
tude, I  now  lake  leave  of  you,  and  devoutly  v,  ish  that  your  latter  days  may  be 
as  prosperous  and  happy  as  your  former  ones  have  been  honorable. '  Having 
drank,  he  added,  "  1  can  not  come  to  take  each  of  you  by  the  hand,  but  shall  be 
obliged  to  you  if  each  of  you  will  come  and  take  ine  by  the  hand."  In  the  inidsi 
9f  profound  silence,  and  with  the  liveliest  sensibility  and  tenderness,  each  of  the 
officers  took  him  by  the  hand  ;  and,  at  the  close  of  the  aflecting  ceremony,  ihey 
all  accompanied  lam  to  Whitehall,  where  a  barge  was  in  readiness  to  carry  him 
Across  the  river.  Having  embarked,  General  Washington  turned  round  to  his 
late  coinpanions-in-arins,  took  off  his  hat,  respectfully  bowed  to  them,  and  bade 
them  a  silent  farewell.  They  returned  the  compliment,  and  went  back  iii  mute 
procession  to  the  place  where  they  had  assembled. 

Congress  was  then  silting  at  Annapolis  in  Maryland ;  and  thither  General 
Washington  proceeded,  for  the  purpose  of  resigning  that  power  which  he  had 
80  successfully  exercised.  He  remained  a  few  days  in  Philadelphia,  in  order 
to  settle  his  accounts  with  the  treasury ;  and,  on  the  19lh  of  December,  arrived 
at  Annapolis.  At  noon,  on  the  23d,  in  presence  of  a  numerous  company  of 
spectators,  he  resigned  his  commission  into  the  hands  oi'  congress ;  and  after- 
ward retired  to  his  patrimonial  mansion  at  Mount  Vernon. 

In  the  course  of  the  revolution,  a  number  of  men  of  no  mean  abilities  arose, 
both  in  the  military  and  civil  departments  ;  but  General  Washington  appears 
with  pre-eminent  lustre  among  them  all ;  not  only  by  the  brilliancy  of  his  genius, 
but  by  the  soundness  of  his  understanding,  and  the  moral  dignity  of  his  charac- 
ter. His  courage  was  unquestionable,  and  il  was  governed  by  discretion.  Hi» 
glory,  however,  lies  in  the  moral  excellence  of  his  character,  his  spotless  integ- 
rity, disinterested  patriotism,  general  humanity,  invincible  fortitude,  and  indexi- 
ble perseverance.  In  trying  times,  he  occupied  the  most  difficuU  situation  in 
which  a  man  can  i)e  placed.  At  the  head  of  an  unorganized  militia,  unaccus- 
tomed lo  military  subordination,  he  was  exposed  to  clamor  and  calumny,  and 
sometimes  fettered  by  the  presumption  of  rulers,  who  were  forward  lo  decide  on 
what  they  did  not  understand,  to  enjoin  measures  the  consequences  of  which 
they  did  not  foresee,  and  to  dictate  on  subjects  of  which  they  had  but  a  very  im- 
perfect knowledge.  He  was  unmoved  by  the  clamors  of  the  former ;  and  ho 
bore,  with  invincible  patience,  the  aberrations  of  the  latter  ;  he  remonstrated  and 


uhibit«(l   the  pt<> 

I'urrtiil  tliiiii  irii< 

subst<i|u<-iit  tliiy 

ural   VVasliiiigloa 

ur  the   (KH-umuii, 

y  hia  hoiiiiJ  reu- 

the  Sturm. 

Dine  regard  to  itj 

yeura'   lull   |>uy. 

la,  and  much  agi- 

lemies    subsided, 

rtol"  their  deleiul- 

ch  large   arreur:* 

pressing   wants, 

experiiiieiU ;  but 

386  ;  and,  on  the 
?Vances'  tavern, 
commander  soon 
cealed :  filling  a 
of  love  and  grati- 
ter  days  may  be 
irable.  Having 
land,  but  shall  be 
d."  In  the  midst 
iiuss,  each  ul  the 
I  ceremony,  they 
[less  to  carry  hiin 
led  round  to  his 
o  them,  and  bade 
rent  back  in  mute 

thither  General 
it  which  he  had 
idulphia,  in  order 
December,  arrived 
ous  company  of 
jress ;  and  after- 

n  abilities  arose, 
shington  appears 
ncy  of  his  genius, 
ily  of  his  charac- 

discretion.  Hi* 
\is  spotless  integ- 
tude,  and  inllexi- 
Hcult  situation  in 

militia,  unaccus- 
ind  calumny,  and 
ivard  to  decide  on 
juences  of  which 
lad  but  a  very  im- 

former ;  and  he 
remonstrated  and 


Washini;ton  P\KTiNr.  with  his  old  Comradks. 


-rv6sa(«^**iS»'aw.' 


»,ifcti^t4Trt3WiaKi»»ft'cr.»:^fat^'afe^;b»-  -^ 


OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


423 


reaeoned  with  them,  and  often  succeeded  in  setting  them  right  With  a  steady 
hand  he  steered  the  vessel  amid  the  terrors  of  the  storm,  and  through  tsarlul 
breakers  brought  it  safe  into  port.  America  owes  him  much,  and  seems  not  in- 
sensible of  the  obligation ;  but  the  best  mode  for  the  Americans  to  show  then 
gratitude  would  be  to  imitate  his  virtues,  and  the  character  of  every  American  to 
leflect  the  moral  image  of  General  Washington. 


:,i<^&SJt«<0j»;«»««K;»a«sasa««*»*»£^^ 


APPENDIX. 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

We,  the  people  of  the  United  States,  in  order  to  form  a  more  perfect  umun 
Mtablish  justice,  insure  domestic  tranquillity,  provide  for  the  common  detence 
promote  the  general  welfare,  and  secure  the  blessings  of  liberty  to  ourselves  and 
our  posterity,  do  ordain  and  establish  this  constitution  for  the  United  States  of 
America. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Section  1. — 1.  All  legislatire  powers  herein  granted,  shall  be  vested  in  a  con- 
gress  of  the  United  States,  which  shall  consist  of  a  senate  and  house  of  repre* 
sentatives. 

Section  2. — 1.  The  bouse  of  representatives  shall  be  composed  of  members 
chosen  every  second  year,  by  the  people  of  the  several  states ;  and  the  electors 
in  each  state  shall  hare  the  qualifications  requisite  for  electors  of  the  most  nu- 
merous branch  of  the  state  legislature.  2.  No  person  shall  be  a  representative 
who  shall  not  have  attained  to  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  and  been  seven 
years  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  who  shall  not,  when  elected,  be  an  in- 
habitant of  that  state  in  which  he  shall  be  chosen.  3.  Representatives  and  di- 
rect taxes  shall  be  apportioned  among  the  several  states  which  may  be  included 
within  this  union,  according  to  their  respective  numbers,  which  shall  be  deter- 
mined by  adding  to  the  whole  number  of  free  persons,  including  those  bound  to 
service  for  a  term  of  years,  and  excluding  Indians  not  taxed,  three  fifths  of  all 
othpf  persons.  The  actual  enumeration  shall  be  made  within  three  years  after 
the  first  meeting  of  the  congress  of  the  United  States,  and  within  every  subse- 
quent term  of  ten  years,  in  such  manner  as  they  shall  by  law  direct.  The  num- 
ber of  representatives  shall  not  exceed  one  for  every  thirty  thousand,  but  each 
state  shall  have  at  least  one  representative ;  and  until  such  enumeration  shall  be 
made,  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  shall  be  entitled  to  choose  three  ;  Massachu- 
setts, eight ;  Rhode  Island  and  Providence  Plantations,  one  ;  Connecticut,  five ; 
New  York,  six  ;  New  Jersey,  four  ;  Pennsylvania,  eight ;  Delaware,  one  ;  Ma- 
ryland, six ;  Virginia,  ten ;  North  Carolina,  five ;  South  Carolina,  five ;  and 
Georj^  a,  three.  4.  When  vacancies  happen  in  the  representation  from  any 
state,  the  executive  authority  thereof  shall  issue  writs  of  election  to  fill  up  such 
vacancies.  5.  The  house  of  representatives  shall  choose  their  speaker  and  other 
officers,  and  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  impeachment. 

Section  3. — 1.  The  senate  of  the  United  States  shall  be  composed  of  two  sen- 
ators from  each  state,  chosen  by  the  legislature  thereof,  for  six  years ;  ard  each 
senator  shall  have  one  vote.  2.  Immediately  after  they  shall  be  assembled,  in 
consequence  of  the  first  election,  they  shall  be  divided,  as  equally  as  may 
be,  into  three  classes.  The  seats  of  the  senators  of  the  first  class  shall  bo 
vacated  at  the  expiration  of  the  second  year,  of  the  second  class  at  the  ex- 


APPENDIX. 


4'^a 


ore  perfect  uniun 

common  detence 

Y  to  ourselves  and 

United  States  of 


e  vested  in  a  con- 
d  house  of  repre- 
ssed of  members 
;  and  the  electors 
I  of  the  most  nu- 
e  a  representative 
,  and  been  seven 
elected,  be  an  in* 
lentatives  and  di- 
1  may  be  included 
ch  shall  be  deter- 
ig  those  bound  to 
three  fifths  of  all 
three  years  after 
thin  every  subse* 
lirect.  The  num- 
tiousand,  but  each 
imeration  shall  be 
hree  ;  Massachu- 
Connecticut,  five ; 
laware,  one  ;  Ma- 
irolina,  five ;  and 
ntation  from  any 
ion  to  fill  up  such 
speaker  and  other 

iposed  of  two  8eu- 
:  years ;  ard  each 
I  be  assembled,  in 
I  equally  as  may 
irst  class  shall  bo 
class  at  the  ex- 


rirulion  of  the  fourth  year,  and  of  the  tl.inl  class  at  the  cxpiralioi.  ol  the  sixth 
leaf  90  that  one  third  may  be  chosen  every  second  year  ;  a.ul  i(  vacuncies  hap- 
pen  by  resignation  or  otherwise,  during  the  rete«s  of  the  legislature  ol  any  slate. 
Il.c  executive  thereof  may  make  temporary  appointments  unli   the  next  ineeting 
of  the  legislature,  which  shall  then  fill  such  vacancies.     3.  No  persmi  shall  be 
a  senator  who  shall  not  have  attained  to  the  age  of  thirty  years,  and  lu-en  nme 
vears  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  who  shall  not,  when  elected,  be  an  in- 
habitant of  that  state  for  which  he  shall  be  chosen.     4.  'I  he  vice-president  of 
the  United  States  shall  be  president  of  the  senate,  but  shall  have  no  .-ote,  unless 
thev  be  equally  divided.     5.  The  senate  shall  choose  their  other  oflicers,  and 
also  a  president  pro  tempore,  in  the   absence  of  the  vice  president,  or  when  he 
shall  exercise  the  office  of  president  of  the  United  Stales.     6.    Fhe  senate  shall 
have  the  sole  power  to  try  all  impeachments.     When  sitting   for  that  purpos.i, 
tl  ev  shall  be  on  oath  or  affirmation.     When  the  president  of  the  United  biaies 
is  tVied,  the  chief  justice  shall  preside ;  and  no  person  shall  be  convicted  with- 
out the  concurrence  of  two  thirds  of  the  members  present.     7.  J"dgmenl,  in  ca- 
ses of  impeacliment,  shall  not  extend  further  than   to  removal  from  office,  and 
dis-malification  to  hold  and  enjoy  any  office  of  honor,  trust,  or  profit,  under  the 
Uiuted  States  ;  but  the  party  convicted  shall  nevertheless  be  liable  and  subject 
to  indictment,  trial,  judgment,  and  pmiishment,  according  to  law. 

Section  4.— I.  The  times,  places,  and  manner  of  holding  elections  lor  sena- 
tors and  representatives,  shall  be  prescribed  in  each  slate  by  the  legislature 
thereof;  but  the  congress  may,  at  any  time,  by  law,  make  or  alter  such  regula- 
tions, except  as  to  the  places  of  choosing  senators.  2  The  congress  shall  as- 
semble  at  least  once  in  every  year,  and  such  meeting  shall  be  on  the  first  Mon- 
dav  ii.  December,  unless  they  shall  by  law  appoint  a  different  day. 

'Section  5— \.  Each  house  shall  be  the  judge  of  the  elections,  returns,  and 
qualifications  of  its  own  members ;  and  a  majority  of  each  shall  constitute  a 
quorum  to  do  business  ;  but  a  smaller  number  may  adjourn  from  day  to  day,  and 
may  be  authorized  to  compel  the  attendance  of  absent  members,  in  such  manner 
and  under  such  penalties  as  each  house  may  provide.  2.  Each  house  may  de- 
termine the  rules  of  its  proceedings,  punish  its  members  for  disordcTly  behavior 
and,  with  the  concurrence  of  two  thirds,  expel  a  member.  3.  Each  house  shall 
keep  a  journal  of  its  proceedings,  and  from  time  to  time  publish  the  same,  ex- 
cepting  such  parts  as  may  in  their  judgment  require  secresy  ;  and  the  yeas  and 
nays  of  the  members  of  either  house,  on  any  question,  shall,  at  the  desire  i.f  one 
fifth  of  those  present,  be  entered  on  the  journal.  4.  Neither  house,  during  the 
session  of  congress,  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  other,  adjourn  lor  more 
than  three  days,  nor  to  any  other  place  than  that  in  which  the  two  houses  shall 

be  sitting.  ,    „ 

Section  6.— I.  The  senators   and  representatives   shall  receive  a  compensa- 
tion for  their  services,  to  be  ascertained  by  law,  and  paid  out  of  the  treasury  o 
the  United  Slates.     They  shall,  in  all  cases,  except  treason,  felony,  and  breni:  . 
of  the  peace,  be  privileged  from  arrest  during  their  attendance  at  the  session  ol 
iheir  respective  houses,  and  in  going  to  or  returning  from  the  same  ;  aiul  lor  any 
speech  or  debate  in  either  house,  they  shall  not  be  (piesiioned  ii.  any  other  place. 
2    No  senator  or  represemative  shall,  during  the  lime  for  which  he  was  elected 
be  appointed  to  any  civil  office  under  the  authority  of  the  LIniteil  States,  whic  i 
shall  have  been  created,  or  the  emoluments  whereof  shall  have  been  increa.se. 
during  such  time  ;  and  no  person  holding  any  office  under  the  lulled  States  shall 
be  a  member  of  either  house  during  his  continuance  m  office. 

Section:— I.  All  bills  for  raising  revenue  siiall  originate  in  the  house  ol 
representatives  ;  but  the  senate  may  propose  or  cou.'ur  wiili  a.nend.nents,  as  on 
other  bills      2    Every  bill  which  shall  have  passed  tlie  house  ol  representatives 


';giiicM**=ii¥«SBi«*»i« 


,V^'a«a^'t*'-^'  '-■'v'm  • 


'-^-sS^Ciw*  1^- 


vjr. 


APPKNDIX. 


and  iiH'  sciuiie,  .sliiil!.  Ix'forp  it  hccdiuc  a  law,  he  prpsoiiii'd  to  tlie  prosidcm  i>! 
'In-  ruilfil  Stall's  ;  if  lie  approve,  he  shall  isijfii  it  ;  hut  if  not,  he  shall  rctiiri.  H, 
Willi  Ills  objeeiioiis,  to  that  house  in  which  it  shall  have  origiiiateil.  wlm  shall 
ruler  the  oi)jeciioii  at  larije  on  their  journal,  anil  proceed  to  reconsider  it.  It', 
afU'T  such  reconsiileraiioii,  two  thirds  of  that  house  shall  agree  to  pass  the 
hill,  it  shall  he  sent,  together  with  the  objections,  to  the  other  house,  hy  which 
it  shall  be  likewise  reconsidered,  and  if  a|)proved  by  two  thirds  of  that  house,  it 
shall  become  a  law.  But  in  all  such  cases,  the  votes  of  both  houses  shall  be 
determined  by  "  eas  and  nays,  and  the  names  of  the  persons  voting  for  and  against 
the  bill  shall  hi.  entered  on  the  journal  of  each  house  respectively.  If  any  bil, 
shall  not  be  r-'lmii^d  by  the  president  within  ten  days  (Sundays  excepted)  after 
It  shall  have  Veen  /resented  to  him,  the  same  shall  be  a  law  in  like  maniKir  as 
if  he  had  si-jiied  it,  unless  the  congress  by  their  adjournment  prevent  its  re- 
turn ;  in  which  case  it  shall  not  be  a  law.  3.  Every  order,  resolution,  or  vote, 
to  whitdi  tlie  concurrence  of  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  may  be 
necessary  (except  on  a  question  of  adjourinnent),  shall  be  presented  to  the  pres- 
ident wf  the  United  States  ;  and  before  the  same  shall  take  effect,  shall  be  aj)- 
proved  by  hiin,  or  being  disapproved  by  him,  shall  be  repassed  by  two  thirds  of 
the  senate  and  house  of  representatives,  according  to  the  rules  and  limitations 
prescribed  in  the  case  of  a  bill. 

Srction  8. — The  congress  shall  have  power — 1.  To  lay  and  collect  taxes, 
duties,  imposts,  and  excises  ;  to  pay  the  debts  antl  provide  for  the  common  de- 
fence and  general  welfare  of  the  United  States  ;  but  all  duties,  imposts,  and  ex- 
cises, shall  be  uniform  throughout  the  United  States  :  2.  To  borrow  money  oii 
the  credit  of  the  United  Slates  :  3.  To  regulate  commerce  with  foreign  nations, 
and  among  the  several  states,  and  with  the  Indian  tribes:  4.  To  establish  a  uni- 
form rule  of  naturalization,  and  uniform  laws  on  the  subject  of  bankruptcies 
throughout  the  United  States  :  5.  To  coin  money,  regulate  the  value  thereof,  and 
of  foreign  coins,  and  fix  the  standard  of  weights  and  measures  :  6.  To  [)rovide 
for  the  punishment  of  counterfeiting  the  securities  and  current  coin  of  the  United 
Stales  :  7.  To  establish  postoffices  and  postroads  :  8.  To  promote  the  progress 
of  science  and  useful  arts,  by  liecuring  for  limited  times,  to  authors  and  invent- 
ors, the  exclusive  riglit  to  their  respective  writings  and  discoveries  :  '.).  To  con- 
stitute tribunals  inferior  to  the  supreme  court :  'I'o  define  and  punish  piracies 
and  felonies  committed  on  the  high  seas,  and  offences  against  the  law  of  na 
tioiis  :  10.  To  declare  war,  grant  letters  of  marque  and  reprisal,  and  make  rules 
concerning  captures  on  land  and  water  :  11.  To  raise  and  support  armies  ;  but 
no  appropriation  of  money  to  that  use  shall  be  for  a  longer  term  than  two  years  : 
12.  To  provide  and  maintain  a  navy:  13.  To  makes  rules  for  the  government 
and  regulation  of  the  land  and  naval  forces  :  14.  To  provide  for  calling  forth  the 
militia  to  execute  the  laws  of  the  union,  suppress  insurrections,  and  repel  inva- 
sions :  15.  To  provide  for  organizing,  arming,  and  disciplining  the  militia,  and 
for  governing  such  part  of  them  as  may  be  employed  in  the  service  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  reserving  to  ilie  states  respect:  'ely  the  a|)poiiitmenl  of  the  ollicers, 
and  the  authority  of  training  tlie  militia  according  to  the  discipline  prescribed  by 
congress  :  16.  To  exercise  exclusive  legislation  in  all  cases  whatsoever  over 
such  district  (not  exceeding  ten  miles  square),  as  may,  by  cession  of  particular 
states,  and  the  acceptance  of  congress,  become  the  seat  of  government  of  tiie 
Uniterl  Stales,  and  to  exercise  like  authority  over  all  places  purchased,  by  the 
consent  of  the  legislature  of  the  state  in  which  the  same  shall  be,  for  the  erec- 
tion of  forts,  magazines,  arsenals,  dock-yards,  and  other  needful  buildings  : — and. 
17.  To  make  all  laws  which  shall  be  necessary  and  proper  for  carrying  into  ex- 
ecution the  foregoing  powers,  and  all  other  powers  vested  by  this  constitution  in 
iho  government  of  the  United  States,  or  in  any  department  or  officer  thereof 


APPENDIX. 


421 


tlie  presidi'iii  i>! 
e  sli;ill  rcturi>  ii. 
iiHteil,  \vli:i  sliall 
icoiisidtr  it.  Ii, 
ee  to  pass  ilu- 
house,  hy  which 
of  that  house,  it 
Iiouses  sliall  be 
g  for  and  against 
lily.  If  any  bil, 
i  excepted)  after 
like  inauii(;r  as 
prevent  its  re- 
solution, or  vote, 
ntatives  may  be 
nied  to  the  prcs- 
ect,  shall  be  ap- 
by  two  thirds  of 
I  and  limitations 

111  collect  taxes, 
he  common  de- 
mposts,  and  ex- 
itrrow  money  ou 
foreiijn  nations, 

establish  a  uni- 
of  bankruptcies 
alue  I  hereof,  aiul 
:  6.  To  [)rovide 
jin  of  the  United 
ale  the  progress 
ors  and  invent- 
ies  :  '.).  To  con- 
I  punish  piracies 
It  the  law  of  na 
,  and  make  rules 
lort  armies  ;  but 
than  two  years : 

the  goverrnnent 
calling  forth  the 

and  repel  inva- 
;  the  militia,  and 
vice  of  the  I'ni- 

of  the  odicers, 
le  prescribed  by 
whatsoever  over 
on  of  particular 
vernment  of  ti>e 
urchased,  i)v  the 
be,  for  the  erec- 
3uilding8  : — and. 
carrying  into  ex- 
is  constitution  in 
ficer  thereof 


Section  9. — 1.  The  migration  or  importation  of  such  persons  aa  any  of  the 
slates  now  existing  shall  think  proper  to  tidmit,  shall  not  be  prohibited  by  the 
congress  prior  to  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eight,  but  a  tax  or 
duty  may  be  imposed  on  such  importation,  not  exceeding  ten  dollars  for  each 
person.  2.  The  privilege  of  llie  writ  of  habeas  corpus  shall  no*,  be  suspended, 
unless  when,  in  cases  of  rebellion  or  invasion,  the  public  safety  may  reqiiire  it. 
3.  No  bill  of  attainder,  or  ex-post-faclo  law,  shall  be  passed.  4.  No  capitation 
or  other  direct  tax  shall  be  laid,  imless  in  proportion  to  the  census  or  enumera- 
tion herein  before  directed  to  be  taken.  5.  No  tax  or  duty  shall  be  laid  on  arti- 
cles exported  from  any  state.  No  preference  shall  be  given  by  any  regulation 
of  commerce  or  revenue,  to  the  ports  of  any  one  state  over  those  of  another  :  nor 
shall  vessels  bound  to  or  from  one  state,  be  obliged  to  enter,  clear,  or  pay  duties 
in  another.  6  No  money  shall  be  drawn  from  the  treasury  but  in  consequence 
of  appropriations  made  by  law  :  and  a  regular  statement  and  account  of  the  re- 
ceipts and  expenditures  of  all  public  money  shall  be  published  from  lime  to  time. 
7  X(  title  of  nobility  shall  be  granted  by  the  United  Slates,  and  no  person  hold- 
ing anv  office  of  profit  or  trust  under  them,  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  con- 
gress, accept  of  any  present,  emolument,  office,  or  title  of  anykind  whatever,  from 
any  king,  prince,  or  foreign  state. 

Sec'iun  10.— I.  No  state  shall  enter  into  any  treaty,  alliance,  or  confedera- 
tion ;  grant  letters  of  marque  and  reprisal ;  coin  money  ;  emit  bills  of  credit ; 
make  anything  but  gold  and  silver  coin  a  tender  in  payment  of  debts  ;  pass  any 
bill  of  atiainiler,  ex-post-facto  law,  or  law  impairing  the  obligation  of  contracts  ; 
or  grant  any  title  of  nobility.  2.  No  stale  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  con- 
gress, lay  any  imposts  or  duties  on  imports  or  exports,  except  what  may  he  ab- 
solutely necessary  for  executing  its  inspection  laws  ;  and  the  neat  produce  of  all 
duties  and  imposts,  laid  by  any  state  on  imports  or  exports,  shall  he  for  the  use  of  the 
ir.ii.^ury  of  the  United  States,  and  all  such  laws  shall  be  subject  to  the  revision  and 
conlrorof  the  congress.  NkJ  state  ^  .all,  without  the  consent  of  the  congress,  lay 
any  duty  of  tunnage,  keep  troops  or  ships-of-war  in  time  of  peace,  enter  into  any 
agreement  or  compact  with  another  state,  or  with  a  foreign  power,  or  engage  in 
war  unless  actually  invaded,  or  in  such  imminent  danger  as  will  not  admit  of  delay. 

ARTICLE    II. 

Section  1  —  1 .  The  executive  power  shall  bo  vested  in  a  president  of  the  Unt- 
ied States  of  A.nerica.  He  shall  hold  his  office  during  the  term  of  four  years, 
*nd,  together  with  the  vice-president,  chosen  for  the  same  term,  be  elected  as 
follows  •  2.  Each  stale  shall  appoint,  in  such  manner  as  the  legislature  thereof 
may  direct,  a  number  of  electors,  equal  to  the  whol'^  number  of  senators  and 
representatives  to  which  the  state  may  be  entitled  in  the  congress ;  but  no  sen- 
ator or  rep^sentative,  or  person  holding  an  office  of  trust  or  profit  under  the  Uni- 
ted States,  shall  be  appointed  an  elector.  [3.  The  electors  shall  meet  in  their 
respective  stales,  and  vote  by  ballot  for  two  persons,  of  whom  one  at  least  shall 
not  be  an  inhabitant  of  the  same  state  with  themselves.  And  they  shall  make  a 
lint  of  all  the  persons  voted  for,  and  of  the  number  of  votes  for  each  ;  which  list 
they  shall  sign  and  certify,  and  transmit  sealed  to  the  seat  of  the  government 
of  the  United  States,  directed  to  the  president  of  the  senate.  The  president  ol 
the  senate  shall,  in  the  presence  of  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives,  open 
all  the  certificates,  and  the  votes  shall  then  be  counted.  The  person  having  the 
greatest  number  of  votes  shall  be  the  president,  if  such  number  be  a  majority  of 
the  whole  numbei  of  electors  appointed ;  and  if  there  be  more  than  one  who 
ha\e  such  majority,  and  have  an  equal  number  of  votes,  then  the  house  of  reprc- 
sentatives  shall  immediately  choose  by  ballot  one  of  them  for  president ;  and  if 
no  person  have  a  majority,  then,  fvom  the  fivt,  highest  on  the  list,  t>.«  «a  d  hous* 


^-'e-'int'::.  -'•r-L-it- .. 


I'JS 


APPENDIX. 


.sli;ill,  in  like  iminner,  choose  the  prosidmil.  !5iil  in  choosinji;  the  preside ni  h< 
vdte  siiall  be  tnken  by  states,  the  representation  from  each  state  havinj^one  vote; 
d  (jiioruin  for  th'"!  purpose  shall  consist  of  a  member  or  members  from  two  thirds 
of  the  states,  and  a  majority  of  all  the  states  shall  be  necessary  to  a  choice.  In 
every  case,  after  the  choice  of  the  president,  the  person  having  the  greatest 
number  of  votes  of  tiie  electors,  shall  be  the  vice-jiresidont.  !;it  if  there  should 
:\'mi),in  two  o"  more  who  have  equal  votes,  the  s'-nate  shall  rii-'ose  iV'nn  them, 
by  ballot,  the  vice-president.]*  4.  'I'he  coiitrr'ss  n)rty  deterrnme  tU*.  time  of 
choosing  the  ei-ctors,  and  the  day  on  which  ihrv  slial!  ^ive  their  vo'es  ,  which 
day  sh.ll  be  tlx-  same  throujihout  the  United  Mates.  5.  No  persuu,  .  cept  a 
natural-i)orn  ciii>:en,  or  a  cilizen  of  the  i  'nited  Si.ilc.'-  a!  r[,',  lUi.  of  U,<:  ;  'i  )ption 
of  this  constitution,  shall  \n  eljirihlo  to  'he  otlice  ol  preaideut .  neithc,-  .-iiall  any 
person  be  eligible  to  that  oHict  ,  who  shall  not  hav.  attained  to  the  age  of  thirty- 
five  years,  and  bet-n  fourteen  yerirs  a  residi  nt  within  the  United  States.  6.  In 
ease  of  the  r'  moval  of  the  pn  si,K  nt  from  o/hce,  or  of  his  death,  resignation,  or 
inability  to  dischaigi,'  the  powers  .md  iluties  of  the  ssai !  office,  the  smiie  i'  ill  de- 
volve on  the  vice-president, and  the  conj.re.ss  tr.^ty,  by  law,  j/ruvidi,  for  tlie  caso 
of  removal,  death,  resignation,  or  i.:i'il)iii'y,  l>i>ih  of  the  president  muI  vice-presi- 
deiu,  declaring  what  olHcer  shall  then  art  as  president,  iU;d  i<r,rh  oJljcer  shall  act 
accordingly,  until  'he  disability  be  reiiusve.!,  or  a  pr'jsidei  ■  Siiall  be  elected. 
7.  The  president  shall,  at  stated  timos,  mceivc  for  hi>  services  a  compensation, 
whi'li  shall  neither  bi^  mcreased  nor  diminished  during  the  period  for  which 
hy  sh.;il  have  bioni  elected,  and  he  shall  not  receive  within  that  period  any  other 
tMTiohiinerit  from  the  United  States,  or  any  of  tliem.  8.  Before  he  enter  on  the 
ev(  ■-jiion  of  iiis  office,  he  shall  take  the  following  oath  or  affirmation  :  9.  "  I  do 
solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  will  faithfully  execute  the  office  of  president 
of  the  United  States,  and  will,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  preserve,  protect,  and 
defend  the  constitution  of  the  United  States.' 

Section  2. — 1.  The  president  shall  be  coifiioander-in-chief  of  the  army  and 
navy  of  the  United  States,  and  of  the  militia  ol  the  several  states,  when  called 
into  the  actual  service  of  the  United  States  ;  he  may  require  the  opinion,  in  wri- 
ting, of  the  principal  officer  in  each  of  the  executive  departments,  upon  any  sub- 
ject relating  to  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices  ;  and  he  shall  have  power 
to  grant  reprieves  and  pardons  for  offences  against  the  United  States,  except  in 
cases  of  impeachment.  2.  He  shall  have  power,  by  and  with  the  advice  and 
consent  of  the  senate,  to  make  treaties,  provided  two  thirds  of  the  senators  pres- 
ent concur :  and  he  shall  nominate,  and,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of 
the  senate,  shall  appoint  ambassadors,  other  public  ministers  and  consuls,  judges 
of  the  supreme  court,  and  all  other  officers  of  the  United  States,  whose  appoint- 
ments are  not  herein  otherwise  provided  for,  and  which  shall  be  established  by 
law.  But  the  congress  n^ay,  by  law,  vest  the  appointment  of  such  inferior  offi- 
cers as  they  think  proper,  in  the  president  alone,  in  the  courts  of  law,  or  in  the 
neads  of  departments.  3.  The  president  shall  have  power  to  (ill  up  all  vacan- 
cies that  may  happen  during  the  recess  of  the  senate,  by  granting  commissions 
which  shall  expire  at  the  end  of  their  next  session. 

Sections. — 1.  He  shall,  from  time  to  time,  give  to  congress  information  of 
ibe  state  of  the  Union,  and  recommend  to  their  consideration  such  measures  as 
he  shall  judge  necessary  and  expedient :  he  may,  on  extraordinary  occasions, 
convene  both  houses  or  either  of  them,  and,  in  case  of  disagreement  between 
(hem,  with  respect  to  the  time  of  adjournment,  he  may  adjourn  them  to  such 
time  as  he  shall  think  proper ;  he  shall  receive  ambassadors  and  other  public 
ministers  ;  he  shall  take  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  executed  ;  and  shall 
Lummission  all  the  officers  of  the  United  States. 

*  TkU  daiiM  was  annulled  by  the  12th  article  under  ainendmenM. 


T? 


APPENDIX. 


rj!i 


tho  presidfiii  h< 
te  IkivIii!^  one  vote  ; 
ers  froin  two  thirds 
ry  to  a  ihoice.  In 
living  the  {greatest 
hit  if  there  should 
fh.'ose  i'n;m  them, 
nunc  thf:  time  of 
licir  votes  ,  which 
lO  persiiJ!,  .  CH'pt  a 
1,1    of  ti,>,  ^  "  )ption 

neithc,-  .'iiail  any 
3  the  age  of  thirty - 
ted  States.  6.  In 
alh,  resignation,  or 
the  sniTie  i'  ill  de- 
nivi.'l',,  for  tlie  caso 
ent  \v{}  vice-presi- 
ch  oiTrier  shall  act 

.liiall  he  elected. 
[;8  u  compensation, 

period  for  which 
It  period  any  other 
•e  he  enter  on  the 
rmation  :  9.  "  I  do 
office  of  president 
serve,  protect,  and 

of  the  army  and 
itates,  when  called 
he  opinion,  in  wri- 
nts,  upon  any  sub- 
shall  have  power 
1  States,  except  in 
th  the  advice  and 
the  senators  pres- 
ce  and  consent  of 
nd  consuls,  judges 
es,  whose  appoint- 
[  he  established  by 
such  inferior  offi- 
1  of  law,  or  in  the 
3  (ill  up  all  vacan- 
nting  commissions 

ss  information  of 
such  measures  aa 
irdinary  occasions, 
greement  between 
cum  them  to  such 
and  other  public 
tecuted  ;  and  shall 

meus. 


Section  4. — 1.  The  president,  vice-president,  and  all  civil  officers  of  the  Uni 
,ed  States,  shall  he  removed  from  office  on  impeachment  for,  and  conviction  of, 
•.reHson,  bribery,  or  other  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE  in. 

Section  1 .  - 1 .  The  judicial  power  of  the  United  States  shall  be  vested  in  one 
supreme  court,  and  in  such  inferior  courts  as  the  congress  may,  from  time  to 
time,  ordain  and  establish.  The  judges,  both  of  the  supreme  and  inferior  courts 
shall  hold  their  offices  during  good  behavior ;  and  shall,  at  stated  tunes,  receive 
for  tlieir  services  a  compensation,  which  shall  not  be  diminished  during  their 
continuance  in  office. 

Section  2.— 1.  The  judicial  power  shall  extend  to  all  rases  in  law  and  equity, 
arising  under  this  c(mstiiution,  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  and  treaties  made, 
or  which  shall  be  mnde.  under  their  authority  :  to  all  cases  affecting  ambassa- 
dors, other  public  ministers,  and  consuls  ;  to  all  cases  of  admiralty  and  maritime 
jurisdiction;  to  controversies  to  which  the  United  States  shall  be  a  purty ;  to 
controversies  between  two  or  more  states  ;  between  a  state  and  citizens  of  an- 
other state  ;  between  citizens  of  different  states  ;  between  citizens  of  the  same 
state  claiming  lands  under  grants  of  different  states ;  and  between  a  stale,  or 
the  citizens  thereof,  and  foreign  states,  citizens,  or  subjects.  2.  In  all  cases  af- 
fecting ambassadors,  other  public  ministera,  and  consuls,  and  those  in  which  a 
state  shall  be  a  party,  the  supreme  court  shall  have  original  jurisdiction.  In  all 
the  other  cases  before  mentioned,  the  supreme  court  shall  have  appellate  juris- 
diction, both  as  to  law  and  fact,  with  such  exceptions,  and  under  such  regula- 
tions, as  the  congress  shall  make.  3.  The  trial  of  all  crimes,  except  m  cases 
of  impeachment,  shall  be  by  jury,  f.nd  such  trial  shall  be  held  in  tho  state  where 
the  said  crime  shall  have  been  committed  ;  but  when  not  committed  within  any 
state,  the  trial  shall  be  at  such  place  or  places  as  the  congress  may  by  law  hare 

directed.  .         i     •    i 

Section  3.— 1.  Treason  against  the  United  States  shall  consist  only  in  levy- 
ing  war  against  them,  or  in  adhering  to  their  enemies,  giving  them  aid  and  com- 
fort. No  person  shall  be  convicted  of  treason  unless  on  the  testimony  of  two 
witnesses  to  the  same  overt  act,  or  on  confession  in  open  court.  2.  The  con- 
gress shall  have  power  to  declare  the  punishment  of  treason  ;  but  no  attainder 
of  treason  shall  work  corruption  of  blood,  or  forfeiture,  except  during  the  life  of 
the  person  attainted. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

Section  I.— 1.  Full  faith  and  credit  shall  be  given  in  each  state  to  the  public 
acts,  records,  and  judicial  proceedings  of  every  other  state.  And  the  congress 
may,  by  general  laws,  prescribe  the  manner  in  which  such  acts,  records,  and 
proceedings,  shall  be  proved,  and  the  effect  thereof. 

Section  2.— 1.  The  citizens  iu  each  state  shall  be  entitled  to  all  privileges  and 
mmunities  of  citizens  in  the  several  states.  2.  A  person  charged  in  any  state 
with  treason,  felony,  or  other  crime,  who  shall  flee  from  justice,  and  be  found  in 
another  state,  shall,  on  demand  of  the  executive  authority  of  the  state  from  which 
he  fled,  be  delivered  up,  to  be  removed  to  the  state  having  jurisdiction  of  the 
crime.  3.  No  person  held  to  service  or  labor  in  one  state,  under  the  laws 
tliereof,  escaping  into  another,  shall,  in  consequence  of  any  law  or  regulation 
therein,  be  discharged  from  such  service  or  labor  ;  but  shall  be  delivered  up  on 
claim  of  the  party  to  whom  such  service  or  labor  may  be  due. 

Section  3.— 1.  New  states  may  be  admitted  by  the  congress  into  this  union  ; 
but  no  new  state  shall  be  formed  or  erected  within  the  jurisdiction  of  any  other 
Slate,  nor  any  state  be  formed  by  the  junction  of  two  or  more  states,  or  parts  of 
states   without  the  consent  of  the  legislatures  of  the  states  concerned  as  well  as 


.c^^j^'%^if^a^m^'i$id<s^^»*^'»^^--^ 


;^.'>Ai:«^Si-iGiVC't.-^-;:i-S 


V!0 


APPENDIX. 


of  the  congress.  2.  The  congress  shall  have  power  to  dispose  of,  and  make 
.ill  needful  rules  and  regulations  respecting  the  territory  or  other  property  be- 
l>in<ring  to  the  United  States  ;  and  nothing  in  this  constitution  shall  be  so  con- 
sirued  as  to  prejudice  any  claims  of  the  United  States,  or  of  any  particular  state. 
Section  4. — 1.  The  United  States  shall  guaranty  to  every  state  in  this  union, 
a  republican  form  of  government,  and  shall  protect  each  of  them  against  inva 
•ion  ;  and,  on  application  of  the  legislature,  or  of  the  executive  (when  the  legis 
lature  can  not  be  convensd),  against  domestic  violence. 

ARTICLE    V. 

1 .  The  congress,  whenever  two  thirds  of  both  houses  shall  deem  it  neces- 
sary, shall  propose  amendments  to  this  constitution ;  or,  on  the  application  of 
the  legislatures  of  two  thirds  of  the  several  states,  shall  call  a  convention  for 
proposing  amendments,  which,  in  either  case,  shall  be  valid  to  all  intents  and 
purpo.ses,  as  part  of  this  constitution,  when  ratified  by  the  legislatures  of  three 
fourths  of  the  several  states,  or  by  conventions  in  three  fourths  thereof,  as  the  one 
or  the  other  mode  of  ratification  may  be  proposed  by  the  congress  ;  provided, 
that  no  amendment  which  may  be  made  prior  to  the  year  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  eight,  shall  in  any  manner  aflect  the  first  and  fourth  clauses  in  the 
ninth  section  of  the  first  article ;  and  that  no  state,  without  its  consent,  shall  be 
deprived  of  its^  equal  suffrage  in  the  senate. 

ARTICLK    VI. 

1.  All  debts  contracted,  and  engagements  entered  into,  before  the  adoption  of 
this  constitution,  shall  be  as  valid  against  the  United  States  under  this  constiH' 
tion,  as  under  the  confederation.  2.  This  constitution,  and  the  laws  of  tha 
United  States  which  shall  be  made  in  pursuance  thereof,  and  all  treaties  made. 
CT  which  shall  be  made,  under  th.-;  authority  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  the 
supreme  law  of  the  land  ;  and  the  judges  in  every  state  shall  be  bound  thereby ; 
anything  in  the  constitution  or  laws  of  any  state  to  the  contrary  notwithstand- 
ing. 3.  The  senators  and  representatives  before  mentioned,  and  the  member.i 
of  the  several  state  legislatures,  and  all  executive  and  judicial  officers,  both  of 
the  United  States  and  of  the  several  states,  shall  be  bound  by  oath  or  affirmation 
to  support  this  constitution  ;  but  no  religious  test  shall  ever  be  ronuired  as  a 
qualification  to  any  office  or  public  trust  under  the  United  States. 

ARTICLE    VII. 

1.  The  ratification  of  the  conventions  of  nine  states  shall  be  sufficient  for  th« 
establishment  of  this  constitution  between  the  states  so  r.^   lying  the  same. 

Done  in  convention,  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  states  present,  the  sev- 
enteenth day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred ani  eighty-seven,  and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  of  Amer 
ii,..,  the  twelfth.     In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  nan «« 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 


New  Hampshire. 
John  Langdon, 
Nicholas  Gilman. 

Massachusetts. 
Nathaniel  Gokham, 
RuFus  Kino. 

Connecticut. 
Wm.  Samuel  Johnson, 


President,  and  Deputy  from  Virjiiiiim 

Roger  Sherman. 

New  Y-ork. 
Alexander  Hamiltoi* 

New  Jersey. 
William  Livinobtow 
David  Bearly, 
William  Patkrson 
Jonathan  DAVTon 


APPENDIX 


43» 


pose  of,  and  make 
other  property  be- 
I  shall  be  so  (.-oii- 
iny  particuhir  state, 
state  in  this  union, 
them  against  inva 
I'e  (when  the  legis 


hall  deem  it  neccs- 
the  application  of 
all  a  convention  for 
1  to  all  intents  and 
^gislatures  of  three 
i  thereof,  as  the  one 
ongress  ;  provided, 
one  thousand  eight 
nirth  clauses  in  the 
.8  consent,  shall  be 


ore  the  adoption  of 
mder  this  constiu' 
id  the  laws  of  tho 
1  all  treaties  made. 
States,  shall  be  the 

be  bound  thereby ; 
itrary  notwithstand- 
,  and  tht^  members 
ial  officers,  both  of 
'  oath  or  affirmation 

be  ronuircd  as  a 
dtes. 


bo  sufficient  for  th« 
ing  the  same, 
es  present,  the  sev* 
ousaiid  seven  hun» 
ed  States  of  Amer 
ascribed  our  nan  *• 
SIIINGTON, 
t)  from  ViTjiiiii% 

ERMAN. 

r,ork. 

[I  Hamiltoi* 

ersey. 

.IVINOBTOW 

IRLY. 

'.^TKRSON 

Daytom 


Pf.nnsyhama. 
Benjamin  Franklin, 
Thomas  Mifklin, 
Robert  Morris, 
George  Clvmer, 
Thomas  Fitzsimons, 
Jared  Inoersoll, 
James  Wilson, 
GovERNEUR  Morris. 

Delaware. 
George  Read, 
Gunning  Hedford,Jr., 
John   Dickinson, 
Richard  Hassett, 
Jacob  Hroom. 

Maryland. 
James  M'Henrv, 


Dam.  opSr.  Th-Jenifek. 
Danikl  Carroll. 

Virginia. 
JoKN    Hlaih, 
James  .Madison,  Jr 

}surth  Carolina. 
William   Hlount, 
Richard  Dombs  Spaiohi, 
Hugh  Williamson. 

South  Carolina. 
John   Rutledoe, 
Charles  C.  Fincknit, 
Charles  Pincknev. 
Pierce  Butler 
Georgia. 


William   Few, 
Abraham   Baldwin, 
Attest,  WILLIAM  JACKSON,  Sec 
rrnnoress   at  their  first  session  under  the  constitution,  held  in  the  city  of 

of  stales      The  1 2lh  amendment,  which  was  proposed  at  the  hrst  S'^^«'""J'  '"* 

September,  1804.] 

'  amekdments 

To  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  ratified  according  to  the  provisions  of 
the  fifth  article  of  the  foregoing  constitution. 
Vrt   1    Conirress  shall  make  no  law  respecting  an  establishment  of  religion. 

out  thl consent  of  the  owner  ;  nor  in  time  of  w-^r,  but  m  a  manner  to  be  pre 
■"art   4^  The  right  of  the  people  to  be  secured  in  their  persons   »'0U8«h,  I>- 

""":;; 'JX'^J^rSl  be  held  to  answer  for  a  capital  or  otherwise  int. 

*ame  offence  to  be  twice  put  in  leooardy  of  ''"^^  "'   '""^^^^^^^^^  a„p„v,d 

pelled,  in  any  criminal  case,  to  be  a  witness  againbi  himself,  nor  be  dcpri 


w 


JSS!i^«S*»'-*=»»*' 


432 


APPKNDIX. 


of  life,  liberty,  or  property,  without  due  procoas  of  law ;  nor  shall  privau:  prof> 
♦!rty  he  t.iken  for  |nil)lic-  use,  without  just  fompeiisatioii. 

Art.  fi.  In  ail  critniual  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  enjoy  the  riifht  to 
a  Mpeedy  and  public  trial,  by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  stale  and  district  wher-m 
tl'  crime  shall  have  iieen  conuniftod.  which  district  shall  have  been  previously 
ascertained  by  law,  and  to  be  informed  of  the  nature  and  cause  of  the  acciisii'- 
tion ;  to  be  confronted  with  the  witnesses  against  hlin  ;  to  have  compulsory  pro. 
cesa  for  obtaining  witnesses  in  his  favor ;  and  to  have  the  assistance  of  counsel 
for  his  defence. 

Apt.  7.  In  suits  at  common  law,  where  the  value  in  controversy  shall  ex 
ceed  twomy  dollars,  the  right  -if  trial  by  jury  shall  be  preserved  ;  and  no  fact 
tried  by  a  jury  shall  be  otherwise  re-examined  in  any  court  of  the  United  States, 
than  according  to  the  rules  of  the  common  law. 

Art  8.  Excessive  bail  shall  not  be  required,  nor  excessive  fines  imposed, 
nor  cruel  and  unusual  punishments  indicted. 

AwT.  9.  The  enumeraiions  in  the  constitution  of  certain  rights,  shall  not  be 
construed  to  deny  or  disparage  others  retained  by  the  people. 

Akt.  10.  The  powers  not  ilelegated  'o  the  United  States  by  the  constitution, 
nor  prohibited  by  it  to  the  states,  are  reserved  to  the  states  respectively,  or  to 
the  people. 

Art.  11.  The  judicial  power  of  the  United  States  shall  not  be  construed  to 
exter/d  to  any  suit  in  law  or  equity,  commenced  or  prosecuted  against  one  of  the 
United  States  by  citizens  o(  another  state,  or  by  citizens  or  subjects  of  any 
f(»reign  state. 

Art.  12. —  I.  The  electors  shall  meet  in  their  respective  states,  and  vote  by 
ballot  for  president  and  vice-president,  one  of  whom,  at  least,  shall  not  be  an 
inhabitant  of  the  same  state  with  themselves  ;  they  shall  name  in  their  ballots 
the  person  voted  for  as  president,  and  in  distinct  ballots  the  person  voted  for  as 
vice-president ;  and  they  shall  make  distinct  lists  of  all  persons  voted  for  as 
president,  and  of  all  persons  voted  for  as  vice  president,  and  of  the  number  of 
votes  for  each,  which  lists  they  shall  sign  and  certify,  ai.d  transmit  sealed  to  the 
seat  of  the  govermnent  of  the  United  Stales,  directed  to  ilie  president  of  the  senate ; 
the  president  of  the  -seiKite  shall,  in  the  presence  of  the  senate  and  liDiise  of  rep- 
reiientati>es,  open  all  the  certificates,  and  the  votes  shall  then  be  counted;  the 
person  having  the  greatest  number  of  voles  for  president,  shall  be  the  president, 
if  such  number  be  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  electors  appointed :  and  if 
no  person  have  such  majority,  then  from  the  persons  having  the  highest  num- 
bers, not  exceeding  three,  on  the  list  of  those  voted  for  as  president,  the  house 
of  representatives  shall  choose  immediately,  by  ballot,  the  president.  But,  in 
choosing  the  president,  the  voles  shall  ue  taken  by  states,  the  representation  from 
each  state  having  one  vole  ;  a  quorum  for  this  purpose  shall  consist  of  a  uiember 
or  members  from  two  ihir.is  of  the  states,  and  a  majority  of  all  the  slates  shall 
be  necessary  to  a  choict;,  And  if  the  house  of  representatives  shall  not  choose 
a  president  whenever  the  choice  shall  devolve  -^pon  them,  before  the  fourth  day 
of  March  next  following,  then  the  vice-president  shall  act  as  president,  as  in 
cage  oi  the  death  or  other  coiistitutioua!  disability  of  the  president. 

2.  The  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  as  vice-president,  shall  be 
.he  vice-president,  if  such  number  be  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  electors 
uppointed ;  and  if  no  person  have  a  majority,  then  from  the  two  highest  numbers 
on  the  list,  the  senate  shall  choose  the  vice-president ;  a  quorum  for  the  pur- 
pose shall  consist  of  two  thirds  of  the  whole  number  of  senators,  and  a  majority 
of  the  whole  number  shall  be  necessary  to  a  choice. 

3.  But  no  person  coii.stitutionally  ineligible  to  the  office  of  presidont,  shall  be 
eligible  to  that  of  vice-president  of  the  United  States. 


-m-m 


m 


Ari'KNDIX. 


(33 


shall  privau'  prop 

nijoy  the  ri;f)it  tn 
id  district  whcr-in 
e  been  previmisly 
se  of  the  acnisn- 
e  compulsory  pro- 
islance  of  coiinsti 

roversy  shall  ex 
rve<l ;  and  no  fact 
the  United  States, 

ve  fines  imposed, 

igliis,  shall  not  be 

y  the  constitution, 
respectively,  or  to 

>t  be  construed  to 
against  one  of  the 
r  subjects  of  any 

tales,  and  vote  by 
t,  shall  not  be  an 
le  in  their  ballots 
rson  voted  for  as 
ions  voted  for  a* 
of  the  number  of 
smit  scaled  to  the 
lent  of  the  senate ; 
and  IiDUse  of  rep- 
be  counted  ;  the 
be  the  president, 
ppointed :  and  if 
the  highest  num- 
jsident,  the  house 
esident.  Hut,  in 
presentation  from 
[isist  of  a  niember 
II  the  states  shall 
1  shall  not  choose 
ro  the  fourth  day 
i  president,  as  in 
ent. 

resident,  shall  be 
umber  of  electors 
highest  numbers 
)rum  for  the  pur- 
's, and  a  majority 

residnnt,  shall  be 


Ai:t.  XIII. t-  Np'  '  "r  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude,  escept    us   a 

i.uuisliment  for  crime,  v.ucreof  the  party  sliall  have  been  duly  .•(.iivieted, 
'hall  exist  within  the  rnitcd  States,  or  any  place  subject  I.,  tiicir  juri'^dictioii. 

:'.  Cfmgrcss  bIihII  have  power  to  enforce  this  article   by  ii|ipr(.pr.iiic  Ugit- 

AiiT    XIV. I.  All    persons   born  or  naturalized    iu  the   I'liilcd   Stales, 

aud  H'ibjcct  to  the  jurisdiction  thereof,  are  citizeus  of  the  United  S'Hfes 
and  of  the  state  wherein  they  reside.  No  state  shall  make  or  eut.nve  any 
law  wliich  shall  abridge  the  privileges  or  imniuuities  of  citizeus  of  the  I  iiiteil 
States;  uor  siiall  any  state  deprive  any  person  of  life,  liberty,  or  properly, 
without  due  process  of  law,  nor  deny  to  any  person  within  its  jurisdiction  Ibo 
tMiiial  protection  of  the  laws. 

•J  IleprcHcntatives  shall  be  apportioned  among  the  several  states  according 
to  "heir  respective  numbers,  counting  the  whole  number  of  persons  in  eiicli 
Mate,  excluding  Indians  not  taxed.  But  when  the  right  to  vote  at  any 
cleiiiou  fcr  the  choice  of  electors  for  president  aud  vice-president  of  the 
United  St.tes,  representatives  in  congress,  the  executive  and  judicial  olFices 
of  a  Slate,  or  the  members  of  the  legislature  thereof,  is  denied  to  any  of  the 
male  iiihabilants  of  such  state  beiug  tweuty-oue  years  of  age,  and  citizens  of 
the  United  States,  or  in  auy  way  abridged,  except  lor  participation  in  rebellKm 
or  other  crime,  the  basis  of  representation  therein  shall  be  reduced  in  the  pro- 
portion which  the  number  of  such  male  citkzeus  shall  bear  to  the  whole 
uunibcr  of  male  citizeus  twenty-one  years  of  age  in  such  state. 

3  No  persou  shall  bo  a  senator  or  representative  iu  congress,  or  elector 
of  ilresident  and  vice-piesideut,  or  hold  any  oilier,  civil  or  military,  under  the 
Uuited  States,  or  under  auy  state,  who,  havi.^g  previously  taken  an  oath  as 
a  member  of  congress,  or  as  an  ofFicer  of  the  United  States,  or  as  u  member 
ol  auy  state  legit^lature,  or  as  au  executive  or  judicial  othcer  of  any  state,  to 
support  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  shall  have  engaged  in  lusur- 
rucuon  or  rebellion  against  the  same,  or  given  aid  or  comfort  to  the  enemies 
ihcieof.      But  congress  may,  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  each  house,  remove 

fucli  disability.  ,,..,.  ,      •      i  i      . 

4.  The  validity  of  the  public  debt  of  the  United  States,  authorized  by  law, 
uichidiu"  debts  incurred  for  payment  of  pensions  aud  bouulies  for  services  in 
supprc>siug  iusiiiTectiou  or  rebellion,  shall  not  be  questioned.  But  neither  tbe 
United  States  uor  any  state  shall  assume  or  pay  auy  debt  or  obligation  in- 
curred in  aid  of  insurrection  or  lebelliou  against  the  Uuited  States,  or  auy 
claim  for  the  loss  or  emancipation  of  any  slave ;  but  all  such  debts,  obliga- 
tious,  and  claims  shall  be  held  illegal  aud  void.  ,     •  ,  .• 

0.  The  congress  shall  have  power  to  enforce,  by  appropriate  legialatiou, 

.lie  provisions  of  this  article.  .,   .     ,  „  .        u   n 

AuT   XV.  — 1.  The  right  of  citizeus  of  the  United  States  to  vote   shall 

not  be  denied  or  abridged  by  the  Uuited  States,  or  by  auy  state,  on  account 

ol  race,  color,  or  previous  condition  of  servitude. 

■I.    The  congress  shall   have  power  to  enf<.  vc  this  article  by  apjropnate 

le^iislatiou. 


-^g0^i,^-if^m!>^ 


'W^ 


